• • • TRAINING • • •
three housing developments in North Yorkshire. The 26-year-old from Bridlington is learning
HUDSON APPRENTICE HELPS GET BRITAIN BUILDING AGAIN A
n electrical apprentice sponsored by Hudson Contract is helping to get Britain building again. Thomas Benninger has been working on
valuable skills as he carries out installations at the new-build sites in Malton, Holtby and Cloughton. Hudson launched the apprenticeship scheme in response to the lack of opportunities for young people to develop valuable skills and enjoy rewarding careers in the construction industry. The family-owned group - the biggest payer of
subcontractors in the UK - pays a wage contribution of £50 per person per week for the first year of their training with local employers. Thomas started the level 3 advanced
apprenticeship in electrotechnical installation and maintenance in October 2019. He spends four days a week with his Harrogate-
based employer, Martin & Gerard Electrical Contractors, gaining practical experience and one day a week on his studies at Hull College. Like many people, Thomas was placed on furlough
during the lockdown but he returned to work in May to help finish the housing developments. Meanwhile, his college lessons have moved online
and he has been preparing for exams. Thomas says: “I have enjoyed returning to work
and picking up from where I had left off. I am enjoying learning new aspects of the electrical trade and intend to work hard to ensure my progression through my apprenticeship.” Hudson has sponsored more than 150 young people
since launching the apprenticeship scheme. Ian Anfield, managing director, says: “We are
delighted with Thomas’ progress and he can be proud of his work. Building new homes and infrastructure will help Britain to recover from the coronavirus crisis.” Thomas graduated from university with a sports
coaching degree in 2015 but no clear career plan. He decided to pursue a higher skilled trade after
stints at a golf club and kitchen extraction cleaning company. Thomas said he enjoys the technically challenging nature of electrical work as well as the potential career opportunities. Hudson’s payroll figures show that highly skilled
electrical contractors can earn in excess of £70,000 per year - more than enough to afford a mortgage on a new home.
HUDSON CONTRACT
hudsoncontract.co.uk
Studying and earning the way forward post COVID-19
Apprenticeship companies are hoping for a surge in interest as GCSE and A-level results are in, albeit amid controversy over the original algorithm used to determine grades
A
lthough university applications are up, doing an apprenticeship is now, more than ever, viewed as a good way to
weather the Coronavirus downturn. With the University experience clearly subdued
due to Covid regulations an apprenticeship offers interaction at both the work place and the place of learning. Further, apprentices are recruited throughout the year, so if university is no longer the favoured option, being paid to start a vocational course will seem to many like the best option. Apprenticeships and employment in general
have certainly hit the buffers since the virus forced businesses to postpone their operations. As we return to some form of normality however, recruitment is expected to increase. With the array of incentives ranging from £2000 - £6,800 for employers to engage with an apprentice or kickstart employee the window of opportunity for both employers and those looking for a good career has never been so well supported.
electricalengineeringmagazine.co.uk “There are various ways to access
apprenticeships,” explains Cirencester based company the Apprenticeship Management Group’s director, John Henry. “There is Intermediate that post GCSE students could start at, Advanced, which is the equivalent of two A-levels, Higher, which is a foundation degree and a degree apprenticeship, which is the equivalent to bachelor’s or masters degree.” Degree apprenticeships are potentially the best of
both worlds as you can get a full degree and earn money at the same time. Apprentices are employed throughout the training and spend part of their time at university, a minimum of 20 per cent, and the rest with the employer. The Apprenticeship Management Group look
after the apprenticeship training programmes and apprenticeship levy for the Electrical Distributors Association, Builders Merchants Federation, British Coating Federation, FIESTA (Furniture and Interiors, Skills and Training Alliance) and water and other utility companies and offer their services to
businesses of all sizes. John Henry says that apprenticeships are picking up again post lockdown in the sectors they currently operate in, with companies looking for new employees and offering dedicated training. John says: “Apprenticeships are routinely bypassed as a way to start in a field in further of full-time further education but are able to offer the same qualification, including degrees, without the legacy of a huge student loan.” “One of the advantages of an apprenticeship is
that the individual will develops their relationship within the sector of choice and build a reputation within the working environment. They understand more about the workplace and what to expect, as opposed to going in cold after A-levels or a three to four year traditional degree.” John urges young people as yet undecided “If you have an industry you would like to work in you can now earn, learn and advance your career at the same time.”
THE APPRENTICESHIP GROUP
theapprenticeshipgroup.co.uk
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING • SEPTEMBER 2020 19
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