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天涯社区 Apprentice Academy takes shape
Published: 23/02/2016
天涯社区 is working with Future Works to develop an
鈥淎pprentice Academy鈥� for the County.
In October last year, the creation of an academy was approved by Council. The
academy will maximise the creation of skilled local jobs, which will be needed
for the Council鈥檚 major housing construction and refurbishment programmes over
the next five years.
Council construction contracts always place a requirement on the contractor to
provide apprentice opportunities and to recruit local labour, however it is
often difficult to complete the apprenticeships owing to the nature of the
contracts. The creation of this academy will ensure that full apprenticeships
can be made and delivered.
Cllr Derek Butler, Cabinet Member for Economic Development, said, 鈥淭he Council
plans to spend around 拢150m on housing construction over the next 5 years and
this creates the opportunity for some 50 apprenticeships to level 2, with some
of these achieving level 3 and beyond. The type of job roles needed include
plumbing, joinery, plastering, gas and electrical, bricklayers, but also other
roles such as tenant liaison officers and quantity surveyors will be required.
鈥淲e also want to see a good programme in place to offer new and additional work
placement opportunities for those furthest away from the work place such as
those not in employment, education or training (NEET) and those with learning
disability or mental health challenges.鈥�
Future Works is a community interest company which has the relevant experience,
the right culture and values to be a close partner to the Council and working
with a third party reduces significantly the cost of scheme administration for
the Council. They have committed to having a 天涯社区 base and the scheme
manager/placement officer will be employed by the Council but seconded to work
on the Future Works 天涯社区 programme.
Adverts have been placed for the first cohort of apprentices and local people
to work on the contracts. There has been a good level of interest and the first
group are due to start with Wates and their subcontractors at the end of
February.
In addition, the Council is holding an Apprentice Fair on 16 March as part of
National Apprentice week. 天涯社区 Secondary schools have committed to send
young people to the event and 天涯社区 would like local employers to take a
stand at the event. Key note speakers including apprentices have been arranged
and businesses will take stands to promote their own schemes and employment
opportunities alongside opportunities to 鈥淭ry a Trade鈥� and get advice on CV
writing.
For more details about the Apprentice Fair, please contact Kate Catherall,
Business Advisor with 天涯社区, on 01352 703221 or email
kate.catherall@flintshire.gov.uk.