UK Training Industry Press Releases

 » Training Press Releases » First national 'Apprenticeship Week' to focus on importance of developing skills.

Next week sees the first national 'Apprenticeship Week' for England. As well as raising the profile of apprenticeships and drawing attention to the value they bring to businesses, employers will be encouraged to look at the apprenticeship as a means of investing in long term skills development.

Licensed by the Government as the Sector Skills Council for the automotive retail industry, the Institute of the Motor Industry recently pledged a 100% increase in the number of apprentices joining the retail motor industry over the next five years to help tackle skills shortages. Apprentices 'graduating' in the automotive sector each year account for approximately 10% of the 100,000 apprenticeships in over 80 industry sectors. The IMI wants 40,000 'home grown' apprentices in the automotive sector by 2013 and the Careers Zone at the British International Motor Show in July will see the unveiling of a major recruitment drive in partnership with employers.

Coinciding with 'Apprenticeship Week', GE's TIP Trailer Services has announced the launch of the TIP UK Workshop Apprenticeship Scheme, with the leasing and rental company seeking to make a long term investment in additional qualified technicians for its UK depot network. Eight selected apprentices will attend formal training at Stephenson College in the Midlands and at eight TIP UK branches.

"The decision by TIP to invest heavily in training goes back to the major changes that took place with our FleetCare programme, when we in-sourced all of our UK-based workshops. By placing more emphasis on in-house service staff, we identified a need for additional qualified technicians," said John Murray, Managing Director UK & Ireland, TIP Trailer Services.

This is the first time that TIP has made such a significant and serious investment in a long-term apprenticeship scheme and, concurrent with this announcement, the UK Apprenticeship Programme is also being rolled out at other businesses within GE's Equipment Services Division. TIP's UK Workshop Apprenticeship Programme will target school leavers in May and June, with the formal college training commencing in September 2008.

Jaguar and Land Rover's established Young Apprenticeship Programme is now in its second year and in addition to teaching students from the Warwickshire and West Midlands areas at its Training Academies at Gaydon and Castle Bromwich, the companies are working in partnership with ten colleges across the UK, which support over 350 students on the manufacturer's Young Apprenticeship Programme.

The major employer partner for Jaguar and Land Rover's Young Apprenticeship Programme is Guy Salmon Land Rover Coventry, which has committed to the scheme by providing work experience opportunities in both its service workshop and bodyshop.

Speaking of its support, Len Rankin, Service Manager at Guy Salmon Land Rover Coventry, commented: "Our business is very committed to supporting youngsters from the local community and we're happy to invest the time giving them the foundation skills and practical experience they need to further a career in the business and the industry".

Supporting the IMI's objective to boost apprentice numbers, David Lammy, Minister for Skills, commented: "Such a rapidly evolving sector as automotive retail demands a highly skilled workforce and I am delighted that the IMI's plans to bring more young people into the motor industry will complement the Government's pledge to increase apprenticeships across all industries."
Steve Scofield, the IMI's Head of Skills Development, commented:

"It's very important that our industry gets behind the apprenticeship more so now than ever before as it needs capable young minds which can be developed into tomorrow's business leaders, sales professionals, master technicians and a whole host of career opportunities. We've got some of the most exciting and sophisticated products available to consumers so it should follow that we have a workforce which reflects this. Apprenticeship Week gives us the chance to celebrate apprentices as they are our future."

A key event of the week which, it is hoped will become an annual event, will be an Apprenticeships Summit at the Congress Centre in London, where a number of employers, officials and high-profile guests will debate the recently-published Apprenticeships Review and the Government's aspirations for Apprenticeships.

Employers interested in apprenticeships for their business are invited to contact the IMI for further information on 01992 511521.

For further information please contact Miles Fletcher, Stuart Brooks or Simon Bennett
Tel: 01992 511521