Dozens of businesses, colleges and other organisations across the East Midlands have been shouting about the efforts they are taking to help fill the skills gap.
They are all supporting National Apprenticeships Week – the UK wide campaign to promote the benefits of in-work training – which runs until Friday.
Nationally the Co-op has said almost £8 million has been pledged by more than 30 businesses for its Levy Share service, which will create around 1,000 apprenticeships, with an emphasis on targeting under-represented groups
Virgin Media O2 announced it is creating more than 200 new apprenticeships across the country to help upgrade the UK with a first-class gigabit broadband and 5G mobile service.
Automotive repair and servicing company Kwik Fit plans to recruit more than 300 apprentices in 2022, while HS2 said 80 apprenticeship vacancies will go live this week.
High-speed rail project HS2 has also launched a fresh recruitment drive which will see it take on dozens of new apprentices.
The transport project already employs 20,000 staff building phase one of the line between London and Birmingham and phase 2a between Birmingham and Crewe.
Here is what’s happening closer to home in the East Midlands:
ALB Group
Nottingham-headquartered property developer ALB Group is on the lookout for two people to fill property administrator and business administration apprenticeships with the company.
The firm is behind schemes such as the conversion of Carlton Police Station into 66 apartments, and a similar transformation of Ilkeston’s former Co-op, and is keen to give the right candidate a helping hand onto the career ladder.
The roles are the latest in a long line of apprenticeships with ALB over the last nine years, which have resulted in many taking on full-time employment.
The apprenticeships are being offered via Zip Management, a property management arm of ALB, and Base Lettings, a lettings subsidiary of the group, via training providers CT Skills and Nottingham College.
Hodgkinson Builders
A building firm’s “Apprentice Mum” is doing her bit to help the country’s shortage of bricklayers.
Sophia Jelaca is relishing her role in business development and recruitment at Derby-based Hodgkinson Builders.
Right now a continued lack of skilled labour is putting increasing pressure on builders, with 60 percent of members reporting delays in jobs – there are also fears of an increase in rogue traders, who exploit the situation.
In a bid to do its bit, there are currently eight apprentices at Hodgkinson’s.
Sophia said: “They have an on-site manager, and a bricklaying mentor, but Ian [Hodgkinson, managing director of Hodgkinson’s] calls me their Apprentice Mum.
“The apprentices check in with me daily, with photographs of their work and any issues they may have.
“They also keep a diary which monitors work completed and quantities laid as well as sending their timesheets to me at the end of each week.
“I’m a point of call where the apprentices can feel supported and in monitoring their progress and having regular reviews, we can see how far they’ve come and focus on helping them with any areas of improvement.
“We have now also started running an ‘apprentice of the month’ incentive as a bit of fun but also to recognise and celebrate excellence.”
The apprentices are currently working on the construction of the landmark apartment building on the site of the former Debenhams store in Derby’s Victoria Street, which forms part of an extensive £200 million regeneration development, as well as going to college one day a week.
Hodgkinson Builders will soon be training its apprentices in partnership with the National House Building Council.
Siemens
Siemens has uncovered engineering, technology and business talent from Nottingham through a competition to design the smart and sustainable transport system of the future.
SustainaCity Racer challenged 50 bright sparks from 15 universities across the UK, including the University of Nottingham, to design an intelligent, sustainable and interconnected network for a fictional city region, using a variety of transport types for citizens living in different environments.
At the end of the two-day hackathon-style event 22 students and graduates were offered access to early career opportunities with Siemens’ Digital Industries, Smart Infrastructure, and Mobility businesses.
BHW Solicitors
Leicester-based law firm BHW has been one of the first to embrace this new style of SQE (Solicitor Qualifying Exam) apprenticeships introduced in September to broaden the horizons for aspiring solicitors.
Eleanor Rattay, partner in the commercial property department, said: “The SQE apprenticeship acts as a new and alternative route to qualifying as a solicitor in England and Wales.
“Traditionally, individuals must embark on a two-year training contract, and must have first completed a law degree (or non-law degree and CPE course) and legal practice course (LPC).
“With the SQE scheme, individuals may complete a degree in any subject before joining the course. Then, they must complete two exams: SQE 1 and SQE 2.
“Essentially, the SQE acts as a standardised and centralised way of becoming a solicitor, with lots of different providers offering a variety of courses.”
MIRA Technology Institute
The MIRA Technology Institute is opening its doors to businesses from the automotive sector interested in finding out more about how apprentices could strengthen their workforce.
Employers can drop into the MTI Campus, on the A6 between Hinckley and Nuneaton, between 12pm and 5pm on Thursday, February 10, and enjoy an informal tour of the workshops and state-of-the art learning facilities.
Lisa Bingley, director of operations at the MTI said: “The automotive sector is experiencing disruptive change on many fronts in a period of renewed optimism following the challenges of the pandemic.
“The pace of the electrification revolution has seen demand surge with EVs now accounting for more than a quarter of all new vehicle production according to the SMMT.
“Battery production has increased over 70 per cent, and the promise of significant investment in the sector is highly encouraging.”
Redrow
Housebuilder Redrow has announced seven new apprenticeships available to students in the East Midlands.
Those successful in securing a place on Redrow East Midlands’ apprenticeship scheme will work across the region, including at The Nook, a major new development in Nottingham, and Chantry Mews in Leicester.
The tailored apprenticeships will allow students with a passion for construction to build their vocational skills and will focus on different aspects of house building, including bricklaying and carpentry.
Redrow East Midlands’ apprenticeship scheme has been running since 2017, and saw the division take on 10 apprentices in 2021.
It gives students an opportunity to gain hands-on experience and build a career in housebuilding. Details of the new positions are on the Redrow careers website.
Purpose Media
Derbyshire marketing agency Purpose Media has appointed its 15th apprentice and promoted two former apprentices to senior roles.
Josh Donell joined Purpose Media first six years ago, and Olly Torrance the following year.
Both have followed a structured career development plan gaining work experience in all areas of the business before settling into their preferred specialism.
Josh found that his passion lay in front end development where he is now a senior developer, and Olly rose through the ranks to Senior SEO Strategist.
Purpose Media’s latest apprentice is Alli Howland who joins on a digital marketing apprenticeship.
The company has also strengthened its content team following the appointment of Olivia Beesley who has a degree in professional writing with media studies from The University of Derby.
She joins from an event management and magazine publishing company where she was a marketing manager.
North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College
NWSLC is planning a week of events and online activities to showcase careers and apprenticeships in partnership with high-profile employers and major brands including SKY, Wincanton, HORIBA MIRA, Polestar, and Severn Trent.
It will host a virtual ‘STEAM into Your Future’ event on Tuesday, February 8 and Wednesday, February 9, aimed at promoting careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths.
Visitors will be able to access presentations on the latest career developments, hear from inspirational speakers in topical webinars and take part in live Q&A sessions.
The college opened the doors to its Hinckley and Wigston campuses on Monday and will open its Nuneaton and Harrowbrook campuses on Thursday, February 10, so visitors can explore the facilities, talk to current students, and seek advice from tutors on apprenticeships.
Mansfield District Council
Mansfield District Council is shining a light on some of its apprentices to promote the benefits to both employees and employers.
The council currently has seven apprentices on its payroll including Stacey Tebbett, from Mansfield Woodhouse, who works in the law and governance department as a trainee auditor and combines her office job with studying for a Higher level apprenticeship qualification.
She said: "Since I started working for the council I haven’t looked back. This apprenticeship has given me the opportunity to learn something new, with a guaranteed job at the end – all done during working hours and funded by my employer.
"I think the words 'apprentice' and 'apprenticeship' are often misunderstood. Many people may think it refers to someone straight from school and on very low wage.
"This couldn’t be any further from the truth. An apprenticeship is available to anyone of any age who wants to learn and succeed. I am 28, with lots of previous work experience and I have a competitive salary.”
There is more information about apprenticeships on the council website.
