National Apprenticeship Week 2017


David Jackson, Founder and Chairman for leading construction audit and contract provider, Hudson Contract (www.hudsoncontract.co.uk), comments on the importance of Apprenticeships for the construction industry, how and why more firms should be supporting young talent and the likely impact of the new Government Apprenticeship Levy. “With a lifetime of working in construction, I remain passionate about championing our


industry as a great place to work and doing everything I can to make it a profession of choice for young people today. We are all aware of the skills shortage in construction, making it even more vital that we, as an industry, take note and do our bit to help. “The government’s increasing reliance on our industry to spearhead improvements in


infrastructure should create demand for more skilled workers within the sector. Training, including Apprenticeships, will therefore play an important part to increase the number of skilled operatives in the sector. “Apprenticeships are crucial to enticing new talent into the industry because they provide


the perfect environment for people to kick-start their careers. The combination of practical guidance and on-the-job training from employers and the skills learned at college, give apprentices a solid foundation for working in the trades. “Equally, there are many advantages for those construction firms who choose to nurture


talent in the industry. Taking on apprentices provides flexibility to the existing workforce, allows a company to develop new recruits to directly meet its own business’ needs, and can also introduce new skills and energy into the team. “The Government’s new levy which is set to launch in April, will fund 3 million


Apprenticeships by 2020. Firms which have a payroll of more than £3 million per year will contribute through their RTI HMRC submissions, and the money will be dished out to anyone who takes on an apprentice – levy payer or not – through the Skills Funding Agency. The introduction of the levy and training service will be very welcome, and will certainly make it easier for employers to build their workforce from the ground up. However, the levy alone will not be enough to combat the construction industry skills shortage. “This is why we, at Hudson Contract, are also calling on firms across the country to establish an Apprentice Sponsorship Scheme like our own. We offer 12 months’


financial support to employers, in our local area, to help them take on an apprentice, paying 50 per cent of each apprentice’s wage for the first year of their training. The scheme is really simple – and it has to be, to ensure there’s plenty of take-up in an area where only a handful of construction firms have more than five employees. “Over the past five years we have sponsored more than 80 apprentices. By way of investing in the future of the industry, we aim to support a further 20 apprentices


over the coming year. We would really like to see other companies follow suit to help foster the skills our industry needs, across the electrical, plumbing, building and joinery trades.” The 10th National Apprenticeship Week will be taking place from 6 to 10 March 2017, bringing together employers and apprentices from across England to celebrate the success of apprenticeships over the last decade, and will seek to encourage even more people to choose apprenticeships as a fast-track to a great career.


A-Plant named one of the UK’s Top Northumberland College welcomes


100 Apprenticeship Employers Equipment hire company A-Plant has been named as one of the UK’s leading companies for providing apprenticeships. The firm, which has 150 apprentices amongst its 3,300-strong workforce, has been featured in the Top 100 Apprenticeship Employer List, and is the only major hire company to make this listing.


The Top 100


companies were officially announced at the National Apprenticeship Awards, which took place in London. After a tough selection process, the most exceptional employers from all categories went forward to feature


in the list, which


showcases the breadth of employers who offer apprenticeships. A-Plant are joined by other leading names including the British Army, Barclays, Ford Motor Co, DHL and Mercedes-Benz. A-Plant was the pioneer for apprenticeships in the construction equipment


rental industry, starting the company’s first Apprenticeship Programme back in 2005, and it continues to be one of the most successful and highly valued schemes industry-wide, underlined by the fact that A-Plant received 5,000 applications for its most recent intake in September last year. Commenting on the entry in the Top 100 Apprenticeship Employer List, A-


Plant’s Head of Training, Bob Harper said, “There are over 5 million businesses - big and small - across the UK, so it’s a huge honour for us to be recognised nationally as a leading light in the development of apprentices.” To view the full Top 100 Apprenticeship Employer List, please visit GOV.UK. A-


Plant’s apprentice and other career opportunities are available at www.aplant.com/careers.


telephone 01444 440188


its 1,000th Apprentice Northumberland College has recently launched its new Apprenticeship Academy that will focus on meeting the needs of Apprentices and their employers. This new Academy sees Apprenticeship Support Officers and Assessors for all


subjects working more closely together. Susan Goldstein,


Director of the Apprenticeship Academy said: “Apprenticeships offer a fantastic opportunity for employers to recruit and further develop staff with the skills and expertise needed for their organisation’s success.” “For individuals,


regardless of their age or background, apprenticeships offer access to structured industry-standard learning and qualifications. Successful apprenticeships are delivered by a robust and cohesive partnership between employer, apprentice and the College. The Apprenticeship Academy will ensure that each partner is clear about their responsibilities and opportunities within this process. Our aim is to support as many Apprentices as we can in achieving their career and educational goals and at the same time help employers to meet current and future skills needs.” Northumberland College is in a unique position to meet skills needs, offering as


it does, more than 40 different Apprenticeships at Level 2, 3 and 4, one of the largest ranges of apprenticeship subjects in the region. The College has invested more than £10m in modern learning facilities, plus


recently received further funding from the North East Local Enterprise Partnership for a £2.5m science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) centre, which will open later this year. Employers wishing to find out more about apprenticeship training and the Levy


may contact the College’s Business Training Solutions team on 0170 841 268 or email training@northland.ac.uk


ToolBUSINESS+HIRE 25


Tom Bennett, multi-trade repair and maintenance apprentice


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