AUTOMOTIVE MANUFACTURER AND SKILLS ACADEMY SUPPORTING APPRENTICESHIP EXPANSION PROGRAMME PILOT
Manufacturing and Engineering firms in the West Midlands are being sought to build upon the work started by the National Apprenticeship Service in partnership with Jaguar Land Rover - who are supported by the National Skills Academy for Manufacturing and Warwickshire College - on a project that overcomes some of the traditional barriers faced by smaller businesses in hiring apprentices. Over and above its own requirements, Jaguar Land Rover has taken on 13 additional apprentices this year to support the Apprenticeship Expansion Programme. The pilot will see these high potential 'level 2 Apprenticeship Completers' become available in August, to smaller sized companies who employ less than 250 people (SME’s). It is envisaged that the solid recruitment process used, and employability skills developed by the apprentices during their time at Jaguar Land Rover and Warwickshire College, will stand them in good stead to go on to the ‘level 3’ Advanced Apprenticeship. The Skills Academy, which is part of Semta, the sector skills council for science, engineering and manufacturing technologies has actively supported the initiative. Bill Twigg, Development Director at Semta, explained: "The pilot project aims to place more young people into manufacturing whilst making it easier for SME’s to take on an advanced apprentice. Sometimes, SME’s are putting off taking on an apprentice because they fear that they will lose valuable time teaching a young person the very basics of working in a manufacturing environment or they lack the appropriate infrastructure. “Under the Apprenticeship Extension Programme, participating companies will be able to take on a young person that has gained valuable experience of a work environment as well as a wide range of useful skills. “Meanwhile the apprentices themselves benefit from developing basic engineering skills from a high profile company who have the appropriate infrastructure to give them a great start.” So far several companies who wouldn't normally take on apprentices have indicated an interest. The Skills Academy is helping with the deployment of these apprentices into local SME's. Bill added: “The project has already been well received and two SMEs have already committed to getting involved by taking on some of these apprentices.” “However, there is still the opportunity for other businesses to recruit some of these apprentices. We would be delighted to hear from any manufacturers in the West Midlands who would like to take advantage of this innovative project that looks set to have huge benefits for Jaguar Land Rover, SMEs and the apprentices.” Ian Eva Manager, Apprentice Programmes and External Networks at Jaguar Land Rover, said: “The Apprenticeship Extension Programme pilot is a great opportunity for large organisations like ourselves to help overcome some of the difficulties and concerns SMEs have in recruiting apprentices. This pilot is based on providing, in very practical terms, core engineering skills with the emphasis on developing not only competencies but employability.” Stephen Lilley of the National Apprenticeship Service added: “We are delighted to support this initiative that has the potential to increase apprenticeship opportunities with SMEs.” Any companies who would like to find out more about the Apprenticeship Extension Programme should contact (Rita Davey via rita.davey@nsa-m.co.uk) whilst young people interesting in becoming an apprentice next September should register interest at (www.jaguarlandrovercareers.com) or apply through the NAS website at www.apprenticeships.org.uk. - E N D S - Image to accompany this release: High res image to download for print: Click here
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