Apprentices not only ensure that a loyal workforce is developed with the skills that your business needs, but they also help ensure that the industry avoids skills shortages in the future by securing talent now.
Over *80% of people are more likely to use a business if it offers apprenticeships to young people, and while the construction industry still faces tough times ahead, it must not be forgotten how important this career path is. Apprenticeships are the lifeblood of the industry offering an invaluable step into a career for young people as well as benefiting companies in a number of ways, but above all they are a chance to show commitment to training.
The longer term outlook for the industry is more positive, so it is also important that businesses have a workforce with the right skills and knowledge in place for the when the market picks up.
As part of this year’s Apprenticeship Week, CITB-ConstructionSkills, the Sector Skills Council and Industry Training Board, has organised a range of employer based apprenticeship events across the UK. The events are aimed at highlighting to employers the significant benefits of setting up an apprenticeship scheme and taking on apprentices, as well as providing them with opportunity to engage with some high calibre potential apprentice applicants.
The events will also provide young people considering a career in the industry with some hands-on experience and a chance to meet with prospective employers who are planning on taking on an apprentice in 2011.
Mike Bialyj, Employer Services Director at CITB-ConstructionSkills said: “We’re dedicated to ensuring our industry has the talent it needs, now and in the future. Taking on an apprentice and ensuring that training stays at the top of the agenda are key ways that businesses can contribute both towards the success of their business and towards the future of the industry. We encourage all employers to give serious consideration to whether they can improve the future skills and productivity of their business by taking on an apprentice.
“There is a wide pool of young, enthusiastic and engaged apprentice applicants for employers to interact with and choose from. The events we are holding as part of Apprenticeship Week are an ideal opportunity for businesses to meet these young people and to find out more about the benefits of taking on an apprentice.
“We would urge businesses to come along to any of the events we are hosting across the country and learn more about the value of apprenticeships in the current climate and the skills that will benefit them in the future.”
One employer that has felt the benefits of taking on apprentices is Carpentry and Building Ltd. Ray Bowden, owner of the company said: “The benefits of taking on an apprentice are numerous, we usually find that the apprentices we take on are keen to learn a trade and approach it with a career in mind, rather than filling in time on a short term training programme. In the long term this benefits us as we end up with a loyal workforce that has the skills we need as business, and as a whole the industry benefits from a continuity of well-trained trades people with the experience to confidently carry out aspects of their trade to a high standard of workmanship.
“Because we are a small business we only take on a maximum of two apprentices at a time, and that way we can balance the right amount of time to instruct, while still producing the work we need to meet client demands. We see a remarkable change in young apprentices from when they first join us, especially in confidence bearing in mind that some have very little or no working experience. By the end of the three years they have matured considerably and provide us with a valuable asset.”
Events are taking place across the country including Recruitment Fairs, Employer Trade Days, Employer Apprenticeship Breakfasts, to name but a few. The events will all have experienced Apprenticeship Officers on hand to advise employers on how to take on an apprentice and the grants that are available to them.
Got a story? Email news@theconstructionindex.co.uk
