Feature Training A bright future for apprentices
This time last year NICEIC launched its new Apprentice Academy to help train the workforce of the future. One year on, NICEIC talks to Electrical Engineering magazine about the progress made by the students over the last 12 months and the next stage in their development
Left: Jack Hawes was one of the first apprentices to sign up for the NICEIC Apprentice Academy
second year of study. Over the last 12 months the eight students have attained their City and Guilds 2330 level 2 and are now progressing to the next stage. Some of the topics covered so far include principles in electrics, installa- tion technology, safe site working and practical installation work. The second year will see the students delve further into these subjects and complete on-site diaries as they work towards City & Guilds 2330 level 3 and NVQ level 3.
Solar module
he government launched its Skills for Sustainable Growth strategy in November last year in which it placed greater emphasis on the need for vocational training, and stressed that practical skills should not be seen as a poor relation to academic achievement. An increased focus on apprenticeship schemes were at the centre of these reforms, particularly in areas where there was already a skills shortage.
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While this strategy was being intro- duced, NICEIC was forming its own Apprentice Academy as part of its com- mitment to training the workforce of the future. The aim of the academy is to help plug the potential skills gap in the elec- trical contracting industry and provide students with the necessary training and skills to meet the demanding challenges of the electrotechnical industry. Commenting on the role of appren- tices, NICEIC’s CEO Emma McCarthy said, “Apprenticeships can make indus- tries more effective, productive and competitive by addressing the skills gap directly. They are the proven way to train the workforce of the future.”
Getting the skills required The academy sees trainee contractors undertake a series of fortnightly courses over two years. They then embark on a final year of professional development under the guidance of NICEIC. A year on from its launch, the first group of students through the academy doors are now preparing to start their
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Right: NICEIC’s CEO Emma McCarthy with the
apprentices from Bedford College (who help run the Apprentice Academy in partnership with NICEIC)
One of the additional modules to be included on the NICEIC course not cov- ered on all electrical apprenticeships is solar photovoltaic installations. With the expected green technology boom in the future, NICEIC were keen to include a module on renewables to ensure the stu- dents had the skills required to cash-in. NICEIC’s training manager Darren Staniforth explained, “A basic knowl- edge and understanding of renewable technologies will be vital to electri- cians over the next decade.
“By introducing some of the terminol- ogy and basics now, they will be well set to take advantage of the opportunities that will arise in the future. The appren- tices’ employers are also keen for them to get specialist skills in this area as it’s a market that many of them want to move into and they need employees with the appropriate skills.”
One student with those skills is Jack Hawes, who has already started working on renewables with his employer and was asked to take part in the World Skills event, which took place at
London’s ExCel Centre in early October. He was part of a team of young apprentices from Bedford College (who help run the apprentice academy in part- nership with NICEIC) that attended the event and installed four solar panels on an eco-home specially set-up at ExCel. The group of apprentices demon- strated how the system connects up to the domestic supply and feeds back to the national grid.
“It was great to see Jack representing the UK,” added Staniforth. “He has really applied himself over the last year and we are delighted with the progress all of the boys are making.”
Summary With the first year now complete, the challenge for NICEIC is to continue pro- gressing with the academy. The chal- lenging economic climate has meant less firms are willing to invest in young apprentices, and the take up for many apprenticeship courses has fallen - despite an increase in the number of places available. However, NICEIC and has vowed to continue investing in the academy and next year will see the first batch of stu- dents come under the guidance of the NICEIC themselves. The students will attend workshops at the organisation’s headquarters in Dunstable for special- ist industry training on topics such as inspection reporting, certificate com- pletion and environmental training. Staniforth concluded, “The academy is a long term investment by NICEIC in the future of our industry. It will take a good few years before we get to see the benefits, but at the moment the signs are good and we look forward to potentially opening up the academy to other parts of the country in the near future.”
NICEIC
www.niceic.com T: 0870 013 0382
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NOVEMBER 2011 Electrical Engineering
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