Baxi apprentice service engineers took part in a week-long team building course this month, designed to develop the next generation of installers with activities focusing on personal development and problem solving. The programme was tailored to Baxi’s visions and values, with apprentices undertaking team-based exercises linked to their Level 3
GMI Construction Group’s dedication to developing skills through earn and learn opportunities has earned it membership of the prestigious 5% Club. The employer-led UK charity, made up of more than 650 members, inspires and educates businesses and organisations to increase the number of apprentices, sponsored students, and graduate trainees with
The City of Liverpool College is expanding its highly successful apprenticeships programme to tradesmen and budding apprentices across the country, as part of its mission to close the skills gap and contribute to a greener future. From September, the College will be moving away from the existing ‘day release’ model
A leading contractor and developer in the East of England is once again inviting applications to its construction apprenticeship for the 18th time in its history. Anderson has been at the forefront of training and developing construction talent for almost 35 years and will relaunch its Groundwork Apprenticeship Scheme for
A Suffolk construction boss has described apprentices as the answer to the industry’s skills shortage to mark National Apprenticeship Week 2022. Simon Girling is the director of SEH French, an Ipswich-based firm operating across East Anglia, where apprentices make up 10% of the workforce. Mr Girling, whose apprentices include carpenters
William Hanson, the UK’s leading etiquette coach and expert, gives guidance to young installers on how to make the perfect first impression as part of the Future Talent Initiative from Worcester Bosch… Worcester Bosch is delighted to announce their partnership with etiquette expert, William Hanson, to help educate young installers
Dulux Academy in Slough as well as at Leeds College will be offering free courses in decoration to some 50 young lucky potential apprentices in March, from the 7th to the 9th of the next coming month. This spattering of generosity comes from the academy’s commitment and support to the
Construction students have been gaining a solid foundation in the skills needed to work in the industry on a major housing project in Enfield. Groups of learners from The College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL) have been undertaking work experience at the Dujardin Mews site since June
New President of the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), Gary Lewis, says that he will be focussing on boosting the quality and quantity of apprenticeships through construction SMEs. At the National AGM and Conference in Newport, Wales, on September 10, Gary Lewis was elected National President of the FMB, which
The government has rolled out a new apprenticeship scheme that seeks to force companies to pay more to train new workers. The CECA (Civil Engineering Contractors Association) said they had concerns that this new system could result in companies paying more to train apprentices, in some cases companies could be
Baxi apprentice service engineers took part in a week-long team building course this month, designed to develop the next generation of installers with activities focusing on personal development and problem solving. The programme was tailored to Baxi’s visions and values, with apprentices undertaking team-based exercises linked to their Level 3 Domestic Service Engineering apprenticeship scheme. During the week spent at SKERN Training & Skills in Devon, apprentices experienced climbing, rafting, and tunnelling. Each practical exercise was designed to help the apprentices improve teamwork, leadership, risk assessment and communication. Krystal McKinnell, Apprenticeships Coordinator at Baxi Heating, said: “Investing in apprenticeships is vital for tackling the skills gap in the UK heating sector. By supporting and training individuals throughout their professional journey, we hope to make a difference and give people a head start as they join the industry.” Baxi apprentice, Liam Bate, said:“I really enjoyed the course and built a good rapport with the other apprentices in my group, which is useful as I may end up working alongside them in the future. We all worked well together as a team and identified each other’s strengths and points for development. Apprentice, Madison Dowding, said: “I enjoyed the teamwork aspect of this course and learned to take other people’s ideas into consideration. I kept my learning log up to date throughout the week and will apply what I learned in my apprenticeship end point assessment.” As well as offering entry-level apprenticeship schemes, Baxi also supports qualified heating engineers with training courses tailored towards the introduction of low carbon systems. For more information about Baxi’s training opportunities, visit: www.baxi.co.uk
GMI Construction Group’s dedication to developing skills through earn and learn opportunities has earned it membership of the prestigious 5% Club. The employer-led UK charity, made up of more than 650 members, inspires and educates businesses and organisations to increase the number of apprentices, sponsored students, and graduate trainees with the aim of alleviating poverty through increased employment. One of the largest independent construction companies in the North of England and the Midlands, GMI Construction Group has long championed apprenticeships and undergraduate work placements as a way of encouraging young people into the industry. It has developed links with seven universities: Leeds Beckett, Nottingham Trent, Coventry, Birmingham City, Salford, Liverpool John Moores and Sheffield Hallam and employs four undergraduates per year undertaking construction-related degrees. In addition, the company has also forged close ties with Leeds College of Building. In addition, GMI Construction Group, which employs 213 people, recently recruited three apprentices to bring its cohort to 16. An example of its ethos and passion for training and development can be found in the £200m train manufacturing plant GMI is currently delivering on behalf of Siemens Mobility in Goole, East Yorkshire. Here, it has created four apprenticeships, and five university and college work placements, as well as hosting educational visits and workshops for schools, colleges, and universities. The company, with offices in Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham, and Teesside, believes work placements provide participants with a real insight into working on construction sites. Construction students from Wirral Met College recently engaged in placements, apprenticeships, job opportunities and site visits to the Wirral Waters regeneration project at Birkenhead, while four Level 3 Construction & the Built Environment students from Leeds College of Building have been involved in the build of a new 604-bed purpose built student accommodation in the city and Thorpe Park in a partnership that will continue to grow. Lee Powell, CEO of GMI Construction Group, said: “This company is committed to encouraging the next generation into the construction industry, to develop their skills and create clear pathways of progression. “Earn and learn opportunities are key to developing employees who not only possess the industry knowledge but also have hands-on practical experience. We offer everything from apprenticeships to trainee site manager training, backed up by the necessary mentoring and support that they require to grow in their career. “This approach also benefits the business as it delivers more effective and motivated employees, while ensuring an inclusive and accessible workplace.” Gill Cronin, operations director of The 5% Club, said: “I’m delighted to welcome GMI Construction Group as a member. The construction industry is a major employer of apprentices and graduates and it’s excellent to see that it is setting a great example and providing a wealth of opportunities.”
The City of Liverpool College is expanding its highly successful apprenticeships programme to tradesmen and budding apprentices across the country, as part of its mission to close the skills gap and contribute to a greener future. From September, the College will be moving away from the existing ‘day release’ model of its Level 3 The Refrigeration Air Conditioning and Heat Pump (RACHP) Engineering Technician Apprenticeship, and instead rolling out a ‘block release’ structure. In the current delivery model, apprentices are required to attend the College once a week over the course of the year for up to three years, with, apprentices therefore ideally needing to be based in the local area to make the frequent commute. With an increasing number of the College’s employer partners successfully winning work nationally, the College has introduced an innovative new approach which will enable it to adapt to the needs of employers across both the Liverpool City Region (LCR) and the rest of the UK. The introduction of the new block model means that apprentices will attend the College’s Vauxhall Road premises for seven one-week periods over the course of the academic year, opening opportunities to long-distance apprentices and company partnerships, who can book their apprentices onto the invaluable course. This new structure also allows employers to plan for the absence of their apprentices, avoiding complications with the workforce, which has previously impacted employers enrolling their staff on to the courses. The new RACHP model will lead the way in training the next generation of renewable installers to help meet ambitious carbon reduction and climate change targets set by government. It comes as the UK heat sector is set to play an integral part in the transition to net-zero, with the Climate Change Committee anticipating that, to reach 2050 climate targets of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions, 17 million UK homes may have a heat pump installed. Last year, the Government announced its 10-point plan for a ‘Green Industrial Revolution’, which highlighted the critical importance of decarbonising homes across the country. The plan included the phase-out of gas heating in new homes by 2023 and a target to install 600,000 heat pumps every year by 2028. Following the announcement, the demand for heat pumps in the UK began to soar, with more homeowners striving to be eco-friendly and embracing the benefits that come from installing heat pumps, such as lower long-term energy costs. At the same time, the Heat Pump Association (HPA) warned the sector was suffering low levels of technology deployment and could also be hindered by a skills gap in the sector, as it was estimated 60,000 installation workers will be needed by 2028 to help meet these targets, but only 1,800 people currently possessed the right training. The City of Liverpool College recognises the need to invest in the training and upskilling of over 40,000 heat pump installers needed by 2035, to achieve widescale deployment and close the skills gap in the industry. Over 30 local businesses already work in partnership with the College on its RACHP apprenticeship, and with the launch of this new model, the College predicts a significant increase in this number from companies across the country looking to welcome new workers and upskill current employees as demand in this area increases. Lindsey Meadows, Head of Apprenticeships at The City of Liverpool College, said: “As we continue our mission as the College for business, it’s important that we open our doors to more companies and apprentices from across the country and do our part in closing the skill gap that is currently present in the heating technology industry. “This new model means apprentices from across the country can attend the course and gain their highly-valued qualification in a more convenient format, which is also hugely beneficial for employers. “The new format will ensure employers can access the skilled workforce needed to help the country build back greener after the pandemic. We are helping to set the standards for the industry, providing the vital skills and opportunities required to be at the forefront of a Green Industrial Revolution. “We are delighted to be opening the doors to this apprenticeship built for a green future, which creates the right skills and environment for our industry to grow. “Through this apprenticeship, we are hoping to help diminish some of the barriers that existing engineers face when looking to expand into low-carbon heating, including difficulty finding dedicated courses and courses that then meet the needs of the installer.” The new format will launch with the new academic year from September and apprentices and businesses can enrol by visiting https://www.liv-coll.ac.uk/courses/refrigeration-air-conditioning-and-heat-pump-engineering-technician-level-3-apprenticeship-standard/.
A leading contractor and developer in the East of England is once again inviting applications to its construction apprenticeship for the 18th time in its history. Anderson has been at the forefront of training and developing construction talent for almost 35 years and will relaunch its Groundwork Apprenticeship Scheme for 2022 seeking 10 new recruits aged 16 and over for a two-year Level 2 Diploma in Construction Operations. News of the continuation of the scheme comes after the success of last year’s intake, which the firm said was crucial to help bring new blood into the industry. It came at a time when apprenticeship schemes were on the decline nationally due to the pandemic and the construction industry was facing a stark skills gap. Six out of 10 employers stopped all new apprenticeships when the coronavirus pandemic hit and Anderson has been determined to ensure the shortfall in new talent is filled as quickly as possible. Steve Hammond, Training Manager at Anderson, said: “The construction industry continues to face a skills gap, so it remains vitally important to highlight the benefits of a construction-based career to young people and for Anderson to continue its long-standing record of recruiting talented new apprentices. “It was a delight to be able to welcome a brand-new intake last year as the industry continued to be impacted by the pandemic and we are very much looking forward to receiving fresh applications for the 2022 cohort. “A career with Anderson is a fantastic opportunity to undertake practical and theory-based training, leading to a secure role with job satisfaction and the opportunity for career progression through the company.” Apprentices are given hands-on training on sites across the East and South of England, learning from professionals with decades of experience in the industry as well as recently qualified apprentices who understand the demands of the two-year course and can help mentor the new recruits. Riley Giles was the youngest of the apprentices that joined Anderson at the end of September, and he is now working with Anderson on the Hopkins Homes site at River Reach, Mistley. He said: “I love every minute of it. The lads on site have been great. “I was worried about getting up early every day but actually I can’t wait to get started – I even get up early on weekends now so I don’t waste the day.” Riley has ambitions to work his way up within the company to become a Site Manager. “I like the idea of progressing with Anderson – it’s a really great company,” he said. “But I have to admit I also I have my sights set on wearing one of those red hats one day!” The Anderson apprentice selection course starts in August 2022 for four weeks, with the successful candidates being accepted on to the full apprenticeship in September. The apprenticeship consists of practical and theory-based training sessions learning a variety of groundwork subjects. The closing date for application is May 15 and CVs should be sent to apprentices@andersongroup.co.uk
A Suffolk construction boss has described apprentices as the answer to the industry’s skills shortage to mark National Apprenticeship Week 2022. Simon Girling is the director of SEH French, an Ipswich-based firm operating across East Anglia, where apprentices make up 10% of the workforce. Mr Girling, whose apprentices include carpenters and quantity surveyors, said: “The construction industry, like many others, has got a major skills shortage. It’s something that has been ongoing and is probably only going to get worse. We’re certainly seeing the effects of it now more than ever when trying to recruit people.” The skills shortage in the industry has been well-documented over the years and that will likely remain unchanged, as it’s forecast 217,000 new workers will be needed by 2025 to meet demands according to the Construction Skills Network. Shortages are largely due to an ageing workforce which doesn’t have enough young people to replace them as they reach retirement. Data from the Office for National Statistics showed between October and December 2021, there were 42,000 job vacancies in construction. SEH French thinks investing time and money in bringing new people into the industry, such as apprentices, will help alleviate the strain present in construction while providing young people with more opportunities. Simon continued: “Bringing in new people into any industry is beneficial, young people bring fresh ideas. They [apprentices] live, develop and grow with us as people and in their trade or profession. “Apprentices help support our senior staff which in turn helps us operate and have better capabilities for meeting our client’s requirements and our own workloads. “Their on-the-job training teaches them how to work to our high standards and how to work as a team. It’s really important to be able to train them to how we want them to work and grow into a professional person.” National Apprenticeship Week 2022 is the 15th annual event aimed at celebrating the positive impact apprenticeships make to businesses and communities. With this year’s theme being ‘build the future’, Mr Girling thinks it’s the perfect opportunity for construction companies to recognise benefits of apprenticeships. He continued: “It’s important for us to contribute to bringing new people into the industry. I think companies have an obligation to do that and to help alleviate some of them problems with skills shortages.” SEH French remains keen to create opportunities for more young people across the region, and people are advised to check their careers page for future vacancies. For more information, please visit www.sehfrench.co.uk.
William Hanson, the UK’s leading etiquette coach and expert, gives guidance to young installers on how to make the perfect first impression as part of the Future Talent Initiative from Worcester Bosch… Worcester Bosch is delighted to announce their partnership with etiquette expert, William Hanson, to help educate young installers on how to make the perfect first impression when entering customers’ homes, as part of the ongoing Future Talent Initiative (FTI). The Future Talent Initiative was launched back in September 2021 and aims to help young installers, apprentices and those new to the sector navigate the start of their careers by providing them with advice spanning many different topics. The most recent is led by William Hanson a leading etiquette expert, who has developed a bespoke resource to give young installers advice on how to make a strong first impression when interacting with customers in their homes. The video can be viewed below: As a leading expert in etiquette and CEO of the English Manner, the UK’s most established etiquette and protocol consultancy, William has the right skills and expertise to help young professionals develop their confidence and build strong relationships with their customers. William commented, “It has been a privilege to work with Worcester Bosch on this Initiative. It is true to say that first impressions do count, so I’m hoping young installers find my advice useful and are able to apply it to their working life.” Conor Evans, Head of Future Talent at Worcester Bosch, adds, “It has been great to have William onboard for our Future Talent Initiative. General etiquette are invaluable skills that are not necessarily taught at school, so we hope this can help young installers feel prepared when entering a customers’ home for the first time.” If you are a young installer, an apprentice, or just new to the industry, visit the Worcester Bosch YouTube here to access the Future Talent Initiative series.
Dulux Academy in Slough as well as at Leeds College will be offering free courses in decoration to some 50 young lucky potential apprentices in March, from the 7th to the 9th of the next coming month. This spattering of generosity comes from the academy’s commitment and support to the ethos predicated by the National Apprenticeship Week, which every year celebrates the range (or lack of) of options that are currently available to the working people of today. With the amount of activities that will be available in order to show potential new employees the various (or lack of) options that are open (or closed) to them, it is important that companies like the Dulux Academy get on board with them and demonstrate the courses that they can provide to people wanting to start off in the decorating industry. National Apprenticeship Week has been going on for a decade: the Dulux Academy for a year. Therefore, it seems that some form of celebration of some kind is in order and the company will be offering a wide range of courses in decorating for free, where expert advice will be given on appliance, method and maintenance techniques in order to indicate what it is that makes the decorating industry what it is today. With the reported shortage of skilled workers in this country becoming an ever important issue that will need to be resolved at some point in the future by providing young people starting off in the life of work having more opportunities, it is evident that enterprises like the Dulux Academy are at least trying to encourage more people to see the benefits and realities of working in the decorating sector of the building and construction industry. Through this, it is clear that the Dulux Academy is doing its best to try and solve this problem by offering more free opportunities to 50 young people, something which other enterprises and companies ought to be doing in honor of National Apprenticeship Week.
Construction students have been gaining a solid foundation in the skills needed to work in the industry on a major housing project in Enfield. Groups of learners from The College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL) have been undertaking work experience at the Dujardin Mews site since June 2016. CONEL offers a wide range of construction apprenticeships and courses from Level 1 to Level 3 in areas including bricklaying, carpentry and joinery, dry lining, electrical installation and plumbing. Dujardin Mews is the first phase of the Ponders End Regeneration programme and is the first social housing to be built in the London borough for 40 years. The development includes a mixture of town houses, flats and maisonettes and is due to be completed in February 2017. The latest work placement saw seven students from the College work on all aspects of construction at the site, including plumbing, electrical installation and painting and decorating. The work placements were arranged in partnership with construction firm Durkan, Joe Brennan Training (JBT), property developer Countryside and Enfield Council. “Growing up I was surrounded by family who worked in construction, and I thought I might have a natural talent for it,” said Level 1 Carpentry student Ben Newton,19. “I’ve learnt a lot at the College and on work placement from learning how to work better as a team to situational awareness and other skills you need on site.” Level 2 Plumbing student Anthony Tsangaris, 20, said: “I’ve always wanted to be a plumber. I am very practical and like using my hands, and I now have a much better knowledge of the job and the tools you need to use. The teaching at the College has been very good and the tutors are very supportive. I’ve enjoyed my time at CONEL” A number of students who have worked on the Dujardin Mews site are expected to be chosen for trainee positions or apprenticeships with JBT and Countryside on a much larger project to build nearly 1,000 new homes on the Alma Estate. “Dujardin Mews has not only provided a platform for training in construction, it has also presented a clear progression for CONEL students to move on to accredited apprenticeships on the Alma Estate over the next three years,” said Kevin O’Connor, Head of Social Responsibility and Inclusion at Durkan. “The quality of students from the College has been excellent, and we were delighted to offer the opportunity for them to gain experience on a working construction site.” The Construction Skills Network’s Industrial Insights 2016-2020 report expects the industry to grow by 2.5% each year – 3.5% in Greater London. Cllr Alan Sitkin, Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration and Business at Enfield Council, said: “The large number of massive development schemes planned in Enfield means it is a hugely exciting time for the construction industry in this borough. It is vital that schemes such as these seek to raise awareness of the opportunities that exist for young people in the construction and other industries.” Read more at https://www.fenews.co.uk/sector-news/construction-students-build-up-skills-working-on-major-enfield-housing-scheme-13036
New President of the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), Gary Lewis, says that he will be focussing on boosting the quality and quantity of apprenticeships through construction SMEs. At the National AGM and Conference in Newport, Wales, on September 10, Gary Lewis was elected National President of the FMB, which is the largest construction trade association in the UK. National President of the FMB, Gary Lewis, said that he has always been passionate about passing on his knowledge to the next generation and ensuring that they have sufficient skilled workers in the construction sector. Lewis continued: “My own firm is one of the many thousands of SMEs that provides broad-skilled apprenticeships. Indeed, two-thirds of all construction apprentices are trained by SME firms like mine. “FMB members are already playing a pivotal role in improving the quality of apprenticeships through the development of two new Trailblazer standards in bricklaying and plastering. However, root and branch changes to apprenticeship policy are on the horizon with the implementation of the new Government Apprenticeship Levy and the corresponding reforms to the CITB levy.” Lewis also said that these fundamental changes could make or break the quality and quantity of apprenticeship training and it is therefore crucial that the FMB ensures that the new system works for smaller firms, or else they could risk exacerbating the construction skills crisis. He said that as the FMB is celebrating its 75th year, he feels privileged to play a role in leading an organisation that stands for quality and professionalism in the building trade, adding that the FMB has made great strides forward over the last few years. At the National AGM and Conference, Arthur McArdle was elected as the new National Vice President of the FMB and Dave Bentley, the former FMB National President, will now serve as the Immediate Past President.
The government has rolled out a new apprenticeship scheme that seeks to force companies to pay more to train new workers. The CECA (Civil Engineering Contractors Association) said they had concerns that this new system could result in companies paying more to train apprentices, in some cases companies could be paying twice to train the same apprentices. Alasdair Reisner said this could actually cause the fall of apprentices potentially interested in joining the construction industry. The CECA chief executive discussed his fears about the future of apprentices in the construction industry. If forced to follow this new initiative companies will be less inclined to hire apprentices who will require more training, time and investment. It will become less affordable and less profitable for companies to train or hire apprentices. Companies would have to pay into the new scheme as the recent scheme actually asks that companies hiring apprentices should also pay in the government’s apprenticeship levy fun. The company would have to also pay thousands in additional training costs that will not be covered by the fund. The current system has the government contributing nearly £2bn to support apprentice training. The employers are expected cover the remainder of training costs. The new system will see this support removed for companies whose annual pay bills are over £3m. The new scheme requests that they pay 0.5% into the levy fund for apprentices. The apprenticeship type will be banded with maximum limits on what can be spent on each type of apprenticeship, contractors fear limits are lower the amount it actually costs to train certain types of construction apprentices. Stating that companies will have to food the extra cost. Early indication from the government are actually causing major concerns for industry professionals, the government are pushing the limits down to a point where it is no longer a viable option for most companies to invest time, money and effort into training apprentices.
