Sector Focus
Skills
The future lies in higher apprenticeships
By David Tomalin, Birmingham Chamber Skills Hub manager
Growth in the UK will mean reshaping our economy around high skill and high value activities within an intensely competitive global marketplace. Now and in the future, we will need highly skilled people to drive that growth. Higher apprenticeships have been developed
to not only deliver that higher level skill-set, but also to provide alternative options to university education as well as provide career progression pathways that will develop the high value skills you need for your business future. The Government wants to make them
available to more businesses and as such has put in place plans to develop more high apprenticeships and has announced additional funding to support their introduction. Like intermediate and advanced
apprenticeships, higher apprenticeships combine on the job training whilst studying for a high level qualification. Higher apprenticeships are available at a range of levels, from the equivalent of a foundation degree to a bachelor’s degree to a master’s degree.
It is easy to see why these may prove to be a
popular alternative to university as it enables achievement of a degree level qualification without the debt. It also allows employers to develop progression pathways that will enable them to attract talent that has a preferred learning style that is experiential in nature. So what are the benefits to your business?
Firstly, higher apprentices will meet the specific needs of your business. Whilst they learn in your workplace, they are able to develop knowledge and occupational skills demanded by specific job roles and demands of your business. Higher apprenticeships enable businesses to
attract and retain employees with potential, expanding workplace diversity and benefiting the local community and wider economy. Existing staff can also be developed using
Higher Apprenticeships, upskilling and helping to retain your staff as well as developing their capability and capacity. Higher apprenticeship development is now allowing for the development of clearer progression pathways and credible, affordable alternatives to going to university. I am sure we will see many more developed as business begins to see and value the opportunities they afford.
New manager for JTL
Training provider JTL has appointed a new centre manager for its flagship training centre in Aston, Birmingham. Adi Khan (pictured) has joined
the company to raise awareness of the opportunities offered by JTL and specifically through the centre. Adi worked for the DCLG, Business Link and was a programme manager with the LEP before joining JTL. He said: “I’m relishing the tasks
ahead, to grow this centre and ensure that people in Birmingham and the West Midlands know about the excellent work we do here and the support we give to 16-24 year olds looking for a worthwhile
54 CHAMBERLINK June 2016
career path in the building engineering services sector.” JTL offers apprenticeships in plumbing, heating or as an electrician across the Midlands based at its Birmingham Training Centre in Mill Street in Birmingham. Mr Khan said: “Apprenticeships
offer young people the opportunity to get ahead of those at university, as not only will they already have a job, but they won’t have the burden of student loans. We would urge anyone interested in finding out more about the apprenticeship option to get in touch.” As well as apprenticeships, JTL
also offers a range of full-time and part-time courses.
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