6


news


Girls Allowed engineering apprenticeship scheme launched


Aylesbury-based training centre ATG Training is hoping to change the way young women view careers in engineering through apprenticeships in the region.


The general perception of the engineering industry is that it is not one which attracts equal numbers of male and female professionals. Gender stereotyping has us easily assuming that numbers of female engineers are relatively small in the UK. However, when the trade body Engineering UK conducted some concrete research, many were shocked to find that just


8.7% of professional engineers in the UK are women – the lowest figure in Europe, despite the UK’s long- term reputation for engineering excellence.


For this reason, ATG Training has taken up the challenge of recruiting more girls into the engineering industry, by promoting engineering apprenticeships for girls aged 16 to 24 in the Thames Valley through Girls Allowed – a dedicated campaign that has seen huge success in other areas.


As a new raft of girls prepare to leave school or college, ATG Training’s


Stephen Smyth believes that a paid engineering apprenticeship is a worthwhile alternative to university, and one that can be equally rewarding for girls.


Smyth said: “Our most recent success story is Fay Chicken, who started an engineering apprenticeship with ATG Training, has gone on to study through Oxford University and will shortly be travelling to Geneva to take up an engineering role with CERN.”


As the end of the school year approaches, the Thames Valley Girls Allowed campaign is reaching out


Fay Chicken


to girls and women aged 16 to 24 who may be doing GCSEs, A Levels, or even those who are currently employed. As a full-time apprentice, the initial practical training with ATG takes place over 12 weeks, followed by a one to three-year apprenticeship with an employer taking in professional qualifications such as NVQ, BTEC and OND.


Details: www.girls-allowed.co.uk


James Cowper given top award for apprenticeship training


Value delivered


Thames Valley accountants and business advisers James Cowper has been given a prestigious award for its apprenticeship and training programme.


West Berkshire Training Consortium, the Thames Valley’s leading body for coordinating and providing access to training funding, has awarded James Cowper its annual Investment in Training award.


Delivering outstanding value for money is the hallmark of our service. We ensure that you get the most from our advice.


Contact Whitley Stimpson for a FREE consultation.


Banbury Office: +44 (0) 1295 270200 High Wycombe Office: +44 (0) 1494 448122


CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS AND BUSINESS ADVISORS


www.businessmag.co.uk


In October last year, James Cowper recruited nine graduates and modern apprentices onto its student accountant training programme – the highest number for six years. The firm has since taken on a further two apprentices in its business support teams and is looking to recruit still further. Over the past decade the firm has recruited 120 trainees and apprentices.


www.whitleystimpson.co.uk


Personnel manager Anne Millar said: “James Cowper has a long tradition of hiring


apprentices and trainees at GCSE, A-Level and post degree qualifications. We take a great deal of pride in our approach to training, with many of our apprentices going on to achieve further professional qualifications and are delighted to have received this award.”


At the same time, James Cowper’s training accreditation with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), the global professional body for chartered certified accountants, has been reconfirmed as platinum status – the highest possible.


The Institute of Chartered Accountants for England and Wales (ICAEW), the accountancy profession’s governing body, has also confirmed James Cowper’s training programme, giving it one of its coveted Employer Awards for its ACA chartered accountant qualification training programme.


THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – THAMES VALLEY – APRIL 2014


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