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Engineering apprentice focussing on the job
As the LSC rolls out its
Apprenticeships for Adults programme nationally, two apprentices - one in his
40s, the other a teenager - explain why they chose the Apprenticeship route to
success.
Apprenticeships have traditionally been associated with young people at the
start of their careers.
But they are far broader than that. A growing number of employers are taking on
apprentices of all ages - helping them to develop their existing skills and
boost their own productivity at the same time.
The LSC has also removed the Apprenticeships age restriction for funding of 25
and is rolling out its Apprenticeships for Adults programme nationally this
month (August). It will invest £35 million in the first year of the
programme - paid for through efficiency savings made as a result of the recent
restructure of the LSC - and expects the national roll-out to receive
widespread interest.
One company which has made a point of employing both adult apprentices and
apprentices aged 16 to 24 is Johnson Matthey, a world leader in advanced
materials technology. The speciality chemicals company employs 7,800 people in more than 30 countries
around the world.
"Apprenticeships provide our company with the skills and knowledge our
employees need to be effective in this industry,"
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explains Julie Bennett, People Organisation and Development Manager at Johnson Matthey Catalysts in
Clitheroe, Lancashire.
"We are a specialised industry and the skills we need for our engineering
apprentices are not readily available so it's better for us that we train them
with the skills and knowledge we need.
"Apprenticeships for adults are a
development opportunity for people working in a low-skilled or semi-skilled
role at the company who would like to take up a fully-skilled role. It depends
on the individual but we usually find that older apprentices have the
experience of having been with the company for a while. They are familiar with
things like health and safety legislation and work very well."
Johnson Matthey employee Jonathan Kay was offered the chance to do an
Apprenticeship at the company in his 40s and jumped at it. He'd left school at
16 and never imagined that he'd switch careers 25 years later and end up doing
an Apprenticeship in Manufacturing Engineering.
"I joined the company as a serviceman in the maintenance department 12 years
ago," says Jonathan, 44, who lives in Clitheroe with his wife Angie and
12-year-old son Jack. "I did the job for eight years and enjoyed it very much
but I always felt I had more to offer. Then a note went up on the board saying
that they were looking for two adults to do Apprenticeships and I decided to
apply."
After taking a series of engineering and reasoning tests, Jonathan was offered
an Apprenticeship in 2003 and never looked back. He was awarded a best adult
apprentice award by Blackburn-based training provider Training 2000 in 2006 and
also gained a double distinction in his NVQ/ONC in Operations and Maintenance
Engineering.
"At first I found
it a little bit stressful getting home from work at 6pm, running my everyday
family life and having homework to do but I knew I was doing the right thing,"
says Jonathan.
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"My son Jack and I used to sit down and do our
homework at the same time. I said "If you do yours then I'll do mine.'"
Jonathan recently completed his Apprenticeship and now works as a plant
maintenance engineering technician at the company. He has also been involved in
interviewing prospective apprentices and has given talks to schools about
Apprenticeships.
"My Apprenticeship was so rewarding," he says. "My job now is so much more
interesting and varied than before. With the skills gained from my
Apprenticeship, I could look at progressing to a higher level at some point,
but at the moment I am enjoying putting my experience to good use at work.
Doing an Apprenticeship is such a good way to develop your career. It sets you
up for life and although it was hard work I feel very lucky to have had the
opportunity and very grateful to Johnson Matthey and Training 2000 for helping
me so much."
Meanwhile fellow employee Mark Strickland decided to start his Apprenticeship
at Johnson Matthey when he was 16. After gaining 11 GCSEs at St Augustine's RC
High School in Billington, Lancashire, he set his mind on taking the
Apprenticeship route.
"I wanted to get a skill behind me as soon as possible," explains Mark, 19, who
lives in Langho and is due to complete his Advanced Apprenticeship in
Electrical Maintenance this month (August).
"I like hands-on work and getting stuck into something, so doing an
Apprenticeship and working as an electrical instrumentation technician was
perfect. I liked the fact that I was learning skills, getting a college
education and earning at the same time. I am very glad I have done it."
If you are interested in offering Apprenticeships to adults please contact your
area or regional LSC or National Employer Service (NES).
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