Trade Skills 4 U Celebrate National Apprenticeship Week
Posted by Christos Panayiotou on Monday, 11th March
National Apprenticeship week kicks off in style with the Prime Minister saying he wants to increase the uptake of Apprenticeships amongst school leavers to follow in the footsteps of Germany.
This is a very encouraging start for an important week which celebrates the value of apprenticeships. Not only does the week promote how great an apprenticeship can be for learning a new trade, but also the benefits of taking on an apprenticeship to an employer. Headline news this morning claims that Apprentices will contribute £3.4bn to the UK economy by 2022.
It goes without saying that Apprenticeships contribute to raising the skill levels amongst the UK workforce. In turn this leads to increased productivity and a highly motivated workforce. The average person who completes their Apprenticeship contributes an extra £214 per week in business productivity.
Hiring an Apprentice is truly a win win situation – better profits, better products, higher wages, lower prices.
Trade Skills 4 U have long been promoting the value of apprenticeships as a common sense solution and viable alternative to university – you can't get any better learning a trade, earning money and having a good chance at the end of a job – as well as getting qualified. Electrician courses and Apprenticeships are at the very heart of what we do here and its great news to hear that the National Apprenticeship Week has kicked off in style all over the country with many colleges offering a packed week promoting the skills and diversity of apprenticeships as well as being backed and supported in parliament with coverage being shown on radio and television.
Apprenticeships have been around for many years. In the past, apprenticeships would give their wage to the master craftsman who would give him his training and skills in return for their wage! They are certainly here to stay and of course, have moved with the times which stands testament to their value.
The theme for 2013 is “Apprenticeships Deliver” and forms part of a new era for Apprenticeships. In particular the theme will demonstrate how apprenticeships can deliver for both employer and individual and how taking on an Apprentice will contribute to the on going success for the employer. Unfortunately in recent years, the gloss has been taken off Apprenticeships leading to the loss of valuable people taking up an Apprenticeship. The message this year is sounding out key values associated with Apprenticeships – quality, growth, pride and value. Using these key values will give Apprenticeships some much needed revitalisation and break down the barriers that have prevented uptake in recent years.
National Apprenticeship Week is now in its sixth year and this week is a chance to really make Apprenticeships shine and promote them to all those who have an interest – individuals, employers, teachers, parents and the media. At Trade Skills 4 U, we will be getting involved in style and showing our Apprentices how proud we are of them and also what we can offer to any individual aged 16 or over who is looking to undertake an Electrician Apprenticeship where they can gain the invaluable work based experience and be professionally trained by Trade Skills 4U.
Labels: apprenticeship
Do's and Don't for Electrical Apprentices
Posted by Christos Panayiotou on Friday, 18th May
These days getting an apprenticeship can be hard. Demand has never been higher for apprenticeship places as more and more people decide that univerisity education isn't for them whilst realising the benefits of working in the skilled trades.
Taking on an electrical apprentice means an extra set of hands for many electricians and the best thing is apprentices usually get trained for free and don’t cost the earth in wages. However, in reality many electricians are not keen on taking on an apprentice. Much of this is due to the incorrect perception that 'apprentices are unmotivated teenagers who don’t really want to work, but have been pushed into it by mum and dad.'
However times have changed and the calibre of apprentices is on the up. In fact, many of the country’s top students are turning away from the academic route and looking at apprenticeships as a real option to achieve their goals.
We have done our research and compiled our top do’s and don’ts for electrical apprentices to help new apprentices keep their employers happy. These are taken directly from electricians themselves and give you an understanding of the perception of apprentices by employers:
Do’s
Show interest in everything. Look keen and make sure you engage whenever possible.
Listen carefully to all instructions.
If you do have your own tools - use them and if you borrow tools make sure you put them back!
If you have nothing to do ask for something or show some initiative and find something that needs doing.
Ask lots of questions. Don’t be afraid to ask if you are unsure of something as long as you are able to listen and implement the answer.
Practice in your spare time. The quicker you learn the quicker you will be of use to your employer securing your position.
Read as much as you can in your spare time. Keep up to date with you training materials and if possible read ahead.
Be diligent and punctual.
If you make a mistake admit it and correct it.
Don’t
Keep checking your mobile phone, texting friends and receiving calls during working hours. In fact this is listed as one of the most annoying things an apprentice can do and came up more than anything else on this list.
Borrow tools and then leave them around where they can be easily lost or damaged.
Don’t stand around with your hands in your pockets.
Continue doing something even though you are not sure what you are doing. Electricity is dangerous, don’t guess how to do something, simply ask someone for help.
Run out the door the second the clock hits five.
Don’t try to hide or cover up your mistakes.
Of all these do’s and don’ts the top ones come up time and time again. So if you keep you phone off and show a keen interest in everything you can’t go far wrong.
If you are looking for an electrical apprenticeship be sure to check out our City & Guilds 2357 course. If you are already training with us be sure to take on board this advice.
Labels: apprenticeship, apprentice
