Industry News

SkillELECTRIC to return in 2022

Unfortunately due to the practical requirements of the SkillELECTRIC competition and the ongoing disruption caused by coronavirus lockdowns; it has been agreed it is not possible to run a UK-wide programme of SkillELECTRIC activity in 2021. SkillELECTRIC says it is working on improvements to the competition and resources ready for re-launching in 2022 and will announce the new cycle later in the year. To register your interest for taking part…

Electrical engineer wins Ambassador of the Year at Scottish Apprenticeship Awards

Electrical engineer Cameron MacDonald was crowned Ambassador of the Year at the Scottish Apprenticeship Awards, held earlier this month. As reported by Alloa & Hillfoots Advertiser, 21-year-old Cameron, who is an operational technology lead at Diageo’s Alloa base in Clackmannanshire, volunteers his time to promote apprenticeships at schools and events. He said: “It’s a great privilege to win and it’s not something I ever thought would happen. “My main goal…

JTL welcomes the new skills investments announced in the spring budget

The leading work-based training provider in England and Wales, JTL, has welcomed the increased incentives for apprenticeships and traineeships announced in Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s spring budget, in the hope they will support employers to take on apprentices. The financial incentives introduced as part of the Chancellor’s Plan for Jobs last year, offered employers £2,000 to take on apprentices aged 16 to 24 and £1,500 for those aged 25 and over.…

JTL’s response to Covid testing

Jon Graham, chief executive, JTL:As chief executive of JTL, one of the largest work-based training providers in England and Wales which also receives the largest funding for 16-19-year-olds from the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA), I was horrified to learn that apprentices will not have access to Covid testing in their place of learning until at least April. This is despite the government ensuring those students aged 16-18 returning…

At-home apprenticeship “has not prevented me from progressing with my learning”

An apprentice has revealed the challenges of learning a trade at home, as a result of college closures due to Covid-19. According to Derbyshire Live, 17-year-old Adam Poulton, from Buxton, says the challenges of lockdown learning have not prevented his progress with his Tarmac apprenticeship. Adam says, “I have always been in to engineering, getting involved with Lego and robot clubs at school. But it was hearing about Tarmac from…

Reunion appeal: East Midlands Electricity Board class of ’71!

In 1971, around 90 school leavers from across the East Midlands embarked on apprenticeships with the East Midlands Electricity Board training centre. Now, 50 years later, they have been invited to a reunion to mark the milestone. As reported by the Northamptonshire Telegraph, Brian O’Brien, a trainee from Warwickshire, is keen to contact the East Midlands Electricity Board 1971 apprentice intake from Northamptonshire. Brian says, “September 6, 2021 marks a significant…

Engineering apprentice wins Apprentice Endeavour award

Northumberland College engineering apprentice, Hamish Carroll, representing Tharsus Ltd., won the Apprentice Endeavour award at the recent Make UK 2020 Awards. The Awards celebrate the brilliance of UK manufacturing and engineering, with the Apprentice Endeavour award given to an apprentice who has engaged with their apprenticeship programme despite adverse circumstances. It acknowledges their determination and progress on their individual journey. Hamish says, “I’m incredibly proud to have won the Make…