Through the TAS, it will be much easier for companies to take on apprentices by removing the barriers that get in the way.
Apprentices are important to the future prosperity of the Sector and there is already real appetite from companies of all shapes and sizes to get involved.
The TAS offers a robust recruitment service to employers looking to employ an apprentice but without the in-house time and resource, for a one-off fee. It will be of particular benefit to SMEs, and will include local support networks.
It will also provide the ideal service for employers, for example, experiencing challenging trading conditions.
The new TAS will be a valuable addition to the services on offer from the National Skills Academy for Process Industries, to process manufacturing companies.
The TAS will promote progression routes to Higher Level Education to apprentices who complete their frameworks and an alumni programme will be established to support the promotion of apprenticeships to schools.
The overriding aim is “real jobs for real apprentices”. The service is demand led and supports both delivery of Cogent Apprenticeship frameworks and all other related frameworks to employers who might not be in position to employ the apprentice at the outset, by employing the apprentice and charging the employer a service fee.
Gillian Doughty, HR Manager, RPC Containers said, “we wholeheartedly welcome the initiative to raise apprenticeship numbers and support smaller employers to engage apprentices. Since the removal of funding for a local SME network in 2009 there has been a lack of a local focus for small organisations, where they could access support from similar companies and other stakeholders.
“I know my colleagues from the Cogent Advisory Council would join me in saying we would anticipate a very positive response from local SMEs and would look to offer support to any apprentices whose programme may be at risk due to lack of facilities or even risk of redundancy.”
The Trades Unions, who have also been involved in developing the bid, will also play an important role as the scheme is rolled out.
Tony Burke, Assistant General Secretary, Unite theUnion, and representative on the Cogent Board said, “skills development is vital for the productivity of the process manufacturing sector and this funding will support companies in developing people and equipping with them with the specialist skills they need. Apprenticeships are the lifeblood of manufacturing, a sector which is essential to the rebalanced economy the country needs at the moment.”
Apprenticeship Expansion Scheme: protecting the skills base
Employers in the Cogent science-using Sector have made great progress with the Apprenticeship Expansion Programme, with learners successfully completing Level 2, and embarking on a Level 3 Apprenticeship.
The Cogent brokered National Apprenticeship Service Funding (NAS) scheme secured 46 subsidised Apprenticeships, and is aimed at increasing the number of Apprenticeships in the science-using Sector.
Employers taking part include Bruner Mond, Tate & Lyle, Total Chem, Innovia, Linecross, RPC Containers Market Rasen, RPC Corby Thermoformin, RPC Containers Rushden, RPC Blow Moulding, Sign Specialists, Hirst Signs, Mitras Composites and Sellafield Ltd.
The apprentices will either secure employment with employers in the supply chain or with those in the wider Sector.
The aim has been to ensure that these additional apprentices benefit the supply chain and the science-using Sector at large, and that both the current and the future skills base of the Sector is protected.
Ian Lockhart, Cogent’s Apprenticeships Manager said: “this project has boosted the number of young people entering the Sector, while making it easier for companies to take on an apprentice.
“The apprentices benefit from developing engineering and science skills from a high quality company, which gives them a great start in their career. This funding was just the kick start some employers needed to start employing apprentices again.”
Case Study:
As part of the company’s future development, Allen Signs wanted to add to the existing skills of its workforce. They identified recruiting an apprentice as the best option and were able to take advantage of the Cogent apprenticeship expansion programme.
Allen Signs is a small privately owned business, currently employing nine staff, manufacturing and installing a range of signs. They have a successful history of investing in skills training for all their employees and have a long relationship with Cogent andWalsallCollege, which is a leading provider of apprenticeships in the industry.
Damian Jacobs,18, successfully applied for the position, securing his place on the understanding that while he would initially need to take a lower pay packet, longer term he would increase both his skills and his compensation.
Damian, who was previously employed as a cleaner at theUniversityofLincoln, showed real commitment during the interview to achieving vocational qualifications and building a successful career at the company.
He will continue to acquire a range of skills in signmaking and installation and achieve his Level 2 and Key Skills qualifications. In the short term at Allen Signs, he is already contributing to a number of new projects.
David Allen, Managing Director said: “the effects of the economic downturn meant we had to give careful consideration to the recruitment of an apprentice. The support from Cogent’s Apprenticeship Expansion project was critical to us going ahead. Our business is now expanding and Damian is making an excellent contribution.”
Damian added: “I wanted to build a successful career in a hands on role and the Allen Signs offer gave me that opportunity. I’m very pleased with how it’s progressing.”