Most recently, Engex and Ethos have displayed commitment to developing the industry leaders of tomorrow by securing a range of tools and equipment for twenty one of CEF’s latest sign-ups to the Aspire Commercial Graduate Programme. A two year programme which, from the outset, is dedicated to transforming people into
Apprenticeships play an integral role in supporting the future growth of the construction industry, helping organisations to expand their workforce whilst minimising costs and overcoming challenges across the industry with regard to skill shortages. Luckily, it appears that Scottish businesses are stepping up to the challenge, playing their part and
Most recently the ECA Edmundson Electrical Awards, amongst the most highly regarded and historic awards within the industry, has seen a fresh launch and look. Aiming to catch the interest of the modern engineer and electrocution, the award has been adapted to appeal to a more technical, technology-focused audience. Having
Most recently, Engex and Ethos have displayed commitment to developing the industry leaders of tomorrow by securing a range of tools and equipment for twenty one of CEF’s latest sign-ups to the Aspire Commercial Graduate Programme. A two year programme which, from the outset, is dedicated to transforming people into the industry’s future leaders, Aspire aims to provide an understanding of all areas of commerce, including everything from the manufacturing cycle through to the management. Pushing understanding on every level, the scheme recognises the importance of perceiving business topics from multiple perspectives, with trainees undertaking physical, manual work on-site with an electrical contractor so as best to understand the role and its respective challenges. With trainees on the scheme generally considering it to be an exciting way to learn all aspects of electrical wholesale, the Aspire programme equips trainees with the information and understanding required to support the delivery of CEF’s service in the future. In ensuring safety and proper standards, of course, it is integral that trainees have the right tools to perform the job, which is where the investment from Engex and Ethos comes in to help. Recognising that CEF views adherence of the latest health and safety regulation, Ethos’ Divisional Manager, Ian Par exclaimed: “We are happy to provide the latest, state-of-the-art technology testers to start trainees off on the right foot.” Of the tools provided, each received a combination of essential tools including screwdrivers and pilers, as well as a socket tester, continuity and voltage tester, and a multimeter. And from this stage, the trainees will now work towards the next stage in their training, where they will be learning from industry experts and gaining the understanding they need on the actual needs and requirements of the contractor from the wholesaler. Regardless, the support offered by Engex and Ethos is a great help.
Apprenticeships play an integral role in supporting the future growth of the construction industry, helping organisations to expand their workforce whilst minimising costs and overcoming challenges across the industry with regard to skill shortages. Luckily, it appears that Scottish businesses are stepping up to the challenge, playing their part and have, as such, achieved a five-year high in the number of construction apprentices recruited in 2015. With circa 1,876 apprentices recruited over the course of the year, 2015 represents a great milestone in overcoming the skill shortages by bringing in new blood to the industry. These figures highlight a 32% increase in the number of apprentices taken back in 2011, which sat at 1,422, as reported by the CITB. The figures come shortly before Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2016, which is also set to encourage organisations to take on more apprentices as a method of bringing new staff into their organisations more easily, and more cost-effectively. Funding provided by the CITB is available for all employed apprentices, which sits at £10,250, and offers a much-needed line of support for smaller businesses keen to expand, yet without the cashflow required to recruit further staff. With an estimated 21,000 new staff expected to be required over the course of the coming five years, the funding, and apprenticeships as a whole, offers a simple and effective route for employers both small and large to secure and train new staff effectively. Further information on how organisations can secure apprentices, as well as information on how would-be apprentices can secure positions within the construction industry, can be found one the Go Construct website, heralded by CITB’s Strategic Partnerships Director, Ian Hughes as: “A fantastic resource for employers and apprentices to find out about the support available, and the wealth of careers on offer.” And with the growing need for skilled workers rising with every coming day, we can only expect this vital industry resource to be much-welcomed by the wider sector.
Most recently the ECA Edmundson Electrical Awards, amongst the most highly regarded and historic awards within the industry, has seen a fresh launch and look. Aiming to catch the interest of the modern engineer and electrocution, the award has been adapted to appeal to a more technical, technology-focused audience. Having been run since 1975, the awards exist to apprentices and trainees to reap credit for their work, thus facilitating their ascension up the career ladder within the electrotechnical sector; naturally, a range of prizes are offered also. It won’t be until June that regional winners will, in fact be announced, however anticipation is rife over the newly relaunched awards. Following on from the announcement, judging will then be undertaken over the course of summer, with a winner finally being decided in September and presented in front of leaders within the industry as well as other entrants – an exciting event to say the least. As Edmundson Electrical has a proud running history of investing back into its workforce, it is no surprise that the organisation continues to strive to support those entering the industry on an apprentice or trainee level. “People make a company and people make an industry,” explained Gordon Love, Managing Director of Edmundson Electrical, and this statement flows though the backbone of the awards, set to identify those people making a difference. In addition, the awards also showcase the excellent level of workmanship which employers might hope to employ through finding apprentices of their own, which is something traditionally heralded as a way forward in the present times of skill shortages. Keen to encourage more individuals to pursue a profession in the industry is Steve Bratt, Chief Executive of ECA who highlights the “misleading impressions” put into the minds of people about the opportunities available in the wider industry. It is hoped that, through the awards, awareness may be improved as to the real opportunities available improve interaction with aspiring professionals. He added that the awards represent a: “Fantastic way of recognising the achievements of young people in our member companies.”
