RECRUITMENT
Rail apprentices fast-tracked into management roles
More and more rail apprentices are finding themselves fast-tracked into management posts, accord- ing to GoSkills, the sector skills council for passenger transport. Celebrating after a successful Apprenticeship Week in February, the organisation’s interim chief
executive, Neil Stokell, said: “The Government’s backing for appren- ticeships is firmer than ever and transport employers are placing greater value on the schemes as a means of boosting customer serv- ice and providing a pool of people who are ripe for management.”
Mat Chapman, lifelong learning manager at First Group, added: “We know our apprentices today will go on to become the manag- ers of the future – a bonus for us as well as the individuals. The sta- tus of apprenticeships have also been raised. Level 2 (GCSE level
equivalent) apprenticeships will now be known as Intermediate Level Apprenticeships and Level 3 (A-level equivalent) will become Advanced Level Apprenticeships. Higher Apprenticeships will re- main unchanged, but there will be more available.
Rail apprenticeships on offer for work placement students
Six unemployed young people have been offered rail and trans- port apprenticeships after com- pleting a Prince’s Trust course to help them move into employ- ment.
The news comes after the 18 to 25-year-olds, part of a larger group of 12, spent time on the four-week programme gaining valuable experience in public transport.
As part of the scheme, the group each spent three weeks working in various departments at West Midlands passenger transport authority Centro and a week with Virgin Trains. They were also given support with job searching, interview and application skills.
The successful six were unveiled at a presentation event on Friday March 11, attended by Dudley North MP Ian Austin.
Charlotte Carter, 21 from Bewdley, Worcestershire, Luke Gibbs, 25 from Quinton, Birmingham, Luke Neate, 20 from Old Hill, West Midlands, and Farah Begum 19, from Alum Rock, Birmingham, se- cured customer service roles with Virgin Trains.
Kelah Fox, 25 from Moseley, Birmingham and Dwain Stevens, 23 from Newtown, Birmingham, were both given similar appren-
Kelah Fox, left, and Dwain Stevens who were offered apprenticeships with Centro.
ticeships with Centro. Speaking at the event Mr Austin, said: “Of all the things I’ve been invited to, this has been one of the most pleasurable, enjoyable and inspir- ing events it has been my privi- lege to attend.
“I think it is absolutely brilliant to see companies from the private, public and voluntary sectors join-
Call for more apprenticeships
Calls have been made for more apprenticeships in the rail industry to try to tackle the record levels of youth unemployment. The lat- est figures showed that 965,000 16-24 year olds are now out of work. The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) UK
carried out a straw poll of its mem- bers showing “almost unanimous support” for more apprenticeships within companies – all but three of 199 respondents agreed.
Steve Agg, chief executive of CILT, said: “I myself started my
104 | rail technology magazine Feb/Mar 11
career as an apprentice, as did our President, Sir Moir Lockhead.
“I believe apprenticeships are an invaluable route into our profes- sion, giving a grounding in devel- opment and training which cannot be underestimated. They should
be encouraged and valued even more – by businesses and by gov- ernment and its agencies.
“Our poll gives a good indication of the groundswell of support among businesses for the benefits of apprenticeships.”
ing together to give young people this fantastic opportunity.”
Kathy Williams, regional director for The Prince’s Trust, said: “The Prince’s Trust Get into Transport course provides a great oppor- tunity for young people to gain valuable work experience to help them find a job. More than three in four young people helped by The
Luke Neate, rear left, Luke Gibbs, Charlotte Carter, front left and Farah Begum, who were offered apprenticeships with Virgin Trains.
Prince’s Trust move into work, training or education. We have developed a valuable partnership with Centro. After the success of last year’s programme we are de- lighted to also have Virgin Trains on board to help young people move into work.”
The Prince’s Trust had initially teamed up with Centro and Virgin Trains to provide 12 work four- week placements as part of the youth charity’s Get into Transport programme.
Chris Gibb, Chief Operating Officer at Virgin Trains said: “Last year Centro impressed me with work they were doing with the Prince’s Trust, and we decided to get involved ourselves this year. I am delighted these young people will have an opportunity to learn about customer serv- ice from our excellent team at Wolverhampton.”
Centro chairman, Councillor Angus Adams, told all the par- ticipants: “We have got 12 win- ners here not just six. Everyone who took part on the course has picked up skills that will last them for the rest of their lives. If you use this experience in the future I am sure none of you will have any problem finding employment.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION Visit
www.princes-trust.org.uk
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112