apprenticeship guide 2016

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Support

MPs stress need to buildskills for next generation

SUCCESS STORY Barrow andFurness MP John Woodcock has seenprofessionalism and dedication inFurness

“In every case, the fundamentalpurpose remains the same – youngpeople are given on-the-job training tohelp give them the best start in life.

“One of the Coalition Governmentachievements I am most proud of wasour record on apprenticeships.

“Thanks to pressure from the LibDems, over 2m apprenticeships werecreated nationally during thecoalition, which was almost 80 percent higher than under the previousLabour government.

“In my constituency of Westmor-land and Lonsdale, 3280 apprentice-ships were created between 2010 to2015.

“For far too long under Labour,apprenticeships had been neglected.

“The challenge now, as theConservatives continue theirideologically-driven pursuit of furthercuts, is to ensure that support forapprenticeships remains so thatyoung people can continue to benefitfrom the opportunities whichapprenticeships offer.”

Copeland MP Jamie Reed said:“High quality apprenticeships are afundamental good for those involved.

“They are of benefit to theemployee, to the employer, and to thecommunity as a whole.

“By providing a young person witha strong education and high qualitytraining and by providing anemployer with a committed andwilling trainee, all involved can takeadvantage of the opportunities thatapprenticeships bring.

“Cumbria’s best days are ahead ofus and we must do all we can to ensureour young people can benefit from theopportunities that are coming ourway.

“High quality apprenticeships arecrucial to achieving this and I wouldencourage all businesses in the area totake on more apprentices if they areable to. We are about to see the singlebiggest private sector investment inour region and we need to ensure thatlocal people have access to thetraining they need so they can get theskilled jobs this investment will bring:apprenticeships have a major part toplay in us succeeding.

“The benefit of learning on the job,the benefit to employers and thebenefit to our communitiesdemonstrates clearly how importanthigh quality apprenticeships are toour local, regional and nationaleconomy.”

THE three MPs representingSouth Cumbria and Millom arefull of praise for the workwhich goes in to equipping thenext generation of skilledworkers.

Barrow and Furness MP JohnWoodcock said: “Here in Cumbria wehave some of the best advancedmanufacturing jobs anywhere in theworld.

“At BAE Systems in Barrow ourengineers work on machines that aremore complicated even than therockets we send into space.

“Up the road at Sellafield we havepeople working at one of the mostexciting and high-tech facilities in thecountry.

“Getting our young people the skillsand experience to work in thesebrilliant jobs, and others like themacross the country, has to beabsolutely central both to employersand to government.

“That is why it is so vital that wesupport our existing apprenticeshipsprogrammes and strive to createnew opportunities for good qualityapprenticeships.

“Nationally we still have an issuewhere too many apprenticeships donot match the high standards setby our advanced manufacturingindustries.

“The government needs to up itsgame so that all of our young peopleget the best possible opportunity tosucceed, no matter what kind of workthey are training for.

“I have seen apprentices at work inCumbria, their professionalism anddedication to what they do is some-thing that should be applauded andnurtured.

“So let’s support our apprentice-ships and never give up in the pursuitof excellence.”

Tim Farron, Liberal Democratleader and MP for Westmorland andLonsdale, said: “Apprenticeshipsare hugely important for our area,benefitting both local businesses inneed of skilled workers and youngpeople who are given the opportunityto learn new skills which will preparethem for the jobs market.

“I regularly visit local businesses inSouth Lakeland, and it is fantasticto see the diverse range of apprentice-ship opportunities on offer, fromtraining placements with smallbusinesses through to positions withlarge companies.

NEW CHALLENGE South Cumbria hasa fantastic diversity of training saysWestmorland and Lonsdale MP TimFarron

Choices

STARTING OUT A new group of apprentices at Kimberly-Clark in BarrowHARRY ATKINSON

Employment and Training Fairheld on January 22.

The event gave an opportunityto educate young people aboutthe higher apprenticeshipsavailable to them at a wide rangeof organisations and companiesincluding Kimberly-Clark andGSK.

Young people can now takeadvantage of the benefits ofliving around the Lake Districtand Morecambe Bay whiledeveloping their future career.

Choose South Cumbria isleading a social media campaignto showcase the careers, lifestylebenefits and community spirit inSouth Cumbria, attractingsupport from local and nationalbusinesses and event organisers.

It aims to engage and inspirepeople looking to stay andrelocate by featuring real lifecase studies of people who areenjoying the perfect work-lifebalance.

A blog channel will belaunched in the coming weeksand will feature guest blogson everything from apprentice-ships to fitness tips to give aninsight into the quality of life inSouth Cumbria.� Keep up-to-date on the latestactivities at the website www.choosesouthcumbria.co.uk

Barrow, and GSK and Kimberly-Clark currently recruiting fortheir 2016 apprenticeshipsintake, many businesses arelooking to build a workforce thatwill ensure they capitalise on thebright future facing Cumbria.

Luke Dicicco, project managerof Choose South Cumbria, said:“We’re eager to ensure youngpeople in Cumbria are ready tocapitalise on the careers – manylong-term – that will be availableacross a whole range ofindustries in the coming years.

“By educating and inspiringyoung people about what is onoffer right here on their door-step, we want young people toChoose to Stay to realise theircareer ambitions and followtheir passions.

“This really is an exciting timeto work in Cumbria, and withsuperb access to the greatoutdoors and good transportlinks to major cities, it has afantastic lifestyle offer too.”

Choose South Cumbria is alsosupported by schools andcolleges in the area, includingUlverston Victoria High Schooland Barrow Sixth Form College.

Students from the Collegerecently received expert advicefrom Choose South Cumbria anda number of its partners at its

SOME of the UK’s largestinternational companieshave lent their support to acampaign to encouragetalented young people tostay in South Cumbria topursue career ambitions.

BAE Systems, GSK, Kimberly-Clark and Furness College havejoined up with the NHS in SouthCumbria and the University ofCumbria to support ChooseSouth Cumbria, an initiative topromote the area as a fantasticplace to work, learn, live andplay.

Cumbria is set to witnessunprecedented levels ofinvestment – including a £350mredevelopment of the BAESystems Maritime – Submarinefacilities in Barrow and a £350mbiopharmaceutical facility atGSK in Ulverston.

There will be the creation of25,000 jobs in a wide variety ofsectors, including engineering,project management and IT.

Choose South Cumbria aimsto inspire young people to stayand develop a career in theregion, as well as promotingcareer opportunities to thoselooking to relocate.

With BAE Systems to take on309 advanced apprentice rolesand 39 higher apprentice roles in

Making sure our bestdon’t move elsewhere

TRAINING CRUCIAL Millom and Copeland MPJamie Reed at Energus in West Cumbria. He sees thebenefits of apprenticeships to local communities

PAUL JOHNSON

Apprentices

Combine workand learningWELCOME to the Evening Mail’s 2016Apprenticeships supplement which celebratesthe success of our young workers and describessome of the exciting developments in the worldof training and learning – while you work.

Some of South Cumbria’s biggest firms aretaking on large numbers of starters as they seekto develop the talent needed to meet theever-changing challenges of the modern world.

Big investments at places such as BAESystems in Barrow, GSK at Ulverston and atSellafield in West Cumbria will throw up newopportunities for those not wanting to take thetraditional academic route of A-levels and adegree straight after GCSEs.

Case studies from apprentices with wide-ranging backgrounds may inspire you to findout more about how an apprenticeship could getyour career off to a flying start.

The opportunities are out there!

SEA OF FACES The 115 first year apprenticeswith BAE Systems who started in September atFurness College PHILIP HATFIELD PHOTOGRAPHY

Case studies

Great reasons to stay hereAt a place like Kimberly-Clark, youwon’t be overlooked if you can proveyour capabilities.”

Hannah Bell, from Barrow, whorecently finished her three-yearapprenticeship at GSK in Ulverston,said: “A lot of my friends went touniversity, so when they saw theopportunities I had, such as going toLondon quite a lot and rotation,shares and a competitive salary; a lotof them started to change their mindsabout apprenticeships.”

ANDY Moonan, now asset leader forKimberly-Clark, started in 1995 as anapprentice at the Barrow Mill.

He said: “I’ve been lucky enough togo through an apprenticeship andseveral different jobs within the samefactory. I’ve never felt the need to goanywhere else because I’ve alwaysbeen able to develop in my currentcareer.

“If you’ve got a career where youcan see some prospects, stick with itbecause the opportunities will come.

www.nwemail.co.uk4 APPRENTICESHIPS Tuesday January 26 2016North-West Evening Mail

Building

Investment to seek out thenext generation of talent

LEARNING SKILLS Year one and two laboratory apprentices at GSK Ulverston PHOTO BY DOMINIC LAMB

and consumers all over theworld continue to have accessto GSK products.

There are exciting timesahead for GSK Ulverston withwork on the construction of the£350m biopharm, and themulti-million poundinvestment on the productionbuildings on site.

Terry Sandham is theapprentice manager at GSKUlverston.

Mr Sandham who hasworked at the site for 29 years,said: “We are building for thefuture and we need to build aworkforce that is fit for thefuture, hence the number ofapprenticeships.

“We are training andgrowing our own talent.”

The apprentice managersaid more opportunitiesbranch out for apprentices asthey complete their training.

Mr Sandham said: “Thereare so many avenues, theopportunities open out oncethey have that apprenticeshipbackground and they havethe tools to allow them toprogress.”

Apprentice applicationsclose on March 31. Informationis available at www.gsk.com/apprenticeships.

The first stage is the onlineapplication form, then theonline values test, the onlineability tests and thenassessment centre days.

A GLOBAL science-ledhealthcare company isinvesting in the “nextgeneration of talent” witha variety of excitingapprenticeships.

GSK Ulverston is recruiting13 apprentices in 2016 –including opportunities inthree brand new apprentice-ship trades.

The new areas are; oneadvanced apprenticeship inbusiness administration, oneadvanced apprenticeship ininformation technology –which could lead to a higherapprenticeship – and ahigher apprenticeship inenvironment, health andsafety.

Making a return after anumber of years is a higherapprenticeship in supply chainwith one place on offer.

There are also twolaboratory advanced appren-ticeships, four advancedapprenticeships in manufac-turing and three advancedapprenticeships in engineering(mechanical or electrical andinstrumentation).

Apprentices gain on the jobexperience and also studytowards a nationallyrecognised qualification.

All apprentices whocompleted the programme in2015 have been appointed into afull-time role.

Phil Wilson, site director ofGSK Ulverston said he looksforwarded to welcoming the“next generation of talent”,highlighting apprentices as a“crucial part” of theworkforce” to ensure patients

Choices

Laboratory roleis a perfect fit

SCIENCE AT WORK Stephanie Noble is a GSKlaboratory apprentice PHOTO BY DOMINIC LAMB

STEPHANIE Noble, 18, from Dalton, is a firstyear laboratory apprentice working at GSK inUlverston.

She explains what an apprenticeship meansto her.

Q: Why did you choose to do anapprenticeship?

A: “I wanted to continue learning whilstgetting on the job training and insight into aglobal company.

“Being an apprentice offers more than just ajob as you are involved not only with otherapprentices from your site but apprentices fromother sites as well.”

Q: Why did you choose GSK and a labapprenticeship?

A: “GSK is global company in thepharmaceutical industry and a confidentmarket leader.

“Working for GSK would allow me to be partof their mission to help people ‘Do more, feelbetter and live longer’.

“At school I was always interested inpharmaceutical science and after I did workexperience at GSK I knew that the labapprenticeship they offered would be just rightfor me.”

Q: What do you enjoy about yourapprenticeship?

A: “I enjoy being able to get involved andworking with the people in my team.

“As an apprentice I can network with theother apprentices and people across site tofurther my knowledge of the company.

“Every day is different and you getchallenged differently every day, developing mycapabilities to work as an individual and as partof a team learning the GSK values and ways ofworking.”

Q: Why would you recommend anapprenticeship to others?

A: “Doing an apprenticeship is a great way tostart off in a company.

“You’ll be trained on the job and go to collegeto learn the theory.

“Apprenticeships also provide opportunitiesto progress further than the qualification thanyour apprenticeship offers, so this is a great wayto progress yourself and become a real asset toGSK.”

BUILDING WORKFORCE Terry Sandham is apprentice managerat GSK Ulverston PHOTO BY DOMINIC LAMB

EXCITING TIMES Phil Wilson is site director at GSK UlverstonMILTON HAWORTH

TEAM WORK Stephanie Noble is a laboratoryapprentice at GSK PHOTO BY DOMINIC LAMB

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Innovation

Three new ways to gain GSK skills

WORK AND TRAIN Laboratory apprentices at GSK UlverstonPHOTO BY DOMINIC LAMB

business partner at GSKUlverston said: “IT is a newapprenticeship for GSKUlverston this year and offers anexciting opportunity to be part ofa global IT organisationsupporting our Ulverstonmanufacturing site.

“You will gain an in-depthunderstanding of world-leadingtechnologies and the role IT playsin supporting our business.

“This will include technicalaspects such as working with ITapplications, networks andservers as well as businessanalysis design of new ITservices.”

● Develop core competenciesacross a variety of areas, such asoccupational safety, processsafety, industrial hygiene andenvironment compliance● Develop an understanding ofkey regulatory requirements andindustry best practices and, theirapplication to a manufacturingenvironment● Establishing, implementing,managing and continuouslyimproving EHS programmes andestablish a partnership withvarious departments to build ahealthy, resilient, highperforming workforce”

Information Technology:Mike Atkinson, senior IT

THERE are three brand newapprenticeship areas at GSK thisyear and we have anexplanation and details of what isinvolved for those wanting to getinvolved

Business Administration:Colin Lamb, site capability

lead at GSK Ulverston, said:“Business Administration is anew apprenticeship at GSKUlverston this year and offers anexciting opportunity to join abusy admin team who carry outdaily tasks essential to thesuccessful running of a globalmanufacturing organisation.

“You will have the opportunityto rotate around the differentareas of the site supportingvarious activities and projects asrequired.”

Environment, Health andSafety (EHS):

Imran Mustapha, processsafety specialist at GSK Ulver-ston, said:“Environment, Healthand Safety (EHS) reflects GSK’scommitment to provide a safe,injury-free workplace whereeveryone is healthy, energisedand engaged in protecting theenvironment.

“EHS is a top priority for a fast-paced and complex manufac-turing facility such as GSKUlverston.”

The EHS apprenticeship willprovide exciting developmentopportunities within a dynamicworking environment and willallow apprentices to:

Case studies

What’s involved inbeing an apprentice

take all the opportunities.“Apprenticeships are a great

scheme.“You should have an interest,

or some experience, of the areayou are applying for.

“It just shows you care andwill be willing to learn.

“You also have to remember,although you are in training,it’s a job and you are in aworking environment.”

Engineering (Electrical andinstrumentation) Ted Jackson,16, of Ulverston, joined thescheme after completing hisGCSEs at Ulverston VictoriaHigh School.

The teenager enjoyed physicsand design and technology atschool and he was able to shineat an assessment day,completing a practical test andpresentation.

“I was very pleased to get anapprenticeship with GSK.

“This is the one company Iwanted to get a place with. Iwanted to be in a workingenvironment.

“I’m really enjoying it. It’svery good to be training andearning. The training at Gen2 isvery good, there is a lot ofone-one support.

“I’m looking forward to goingon to site and completing theplacements.”

He said: “Students shouldthink ahead about what areasinterest them, by looking at thesubjects they enjoy.”

Engineering (Mechanical)Joe Hambley, 20, is fromHaverthwaite.

He did an apprenticeship insporting excellence based onprofessional rugby inWorkington for two years afterschool.

The Barrow Raiders playerworked at The Lakeside andHaverthwaite Railway on theengines and in the workshops,but decided he wanted anapprenticeship.

“I chose an apprenticeshipover university because youhave the job experience and asalary.

“GSK was my first choiceapprenticeship. The company isvery welcoming.

“As first years we are gettingbrief glimpses on site, but noone treats you as a stranger, youfeel part of the team.

“The apprentices wereinvited to a ball and thecompany really involved us.

“My training at Gen2 is verygood, we have completed lots ofdifferent units and are gettinglots of experience.

“You get a broad range ofskills I’m excited about workingon site.

“I want to qualify well, get theexperience under my belt and

SOME of the first yearGSK apprentices trainingat GEN2’s Furness SkillsCentre in Ulverston haveshared their experienceand advice.

While young people maybe familiar with the trades ofelectrical and mechanicalengineering, we also look at thescience manufacturing, whereapprentices develop the skillsto operate the systems andequipment that produces GSK’spharmaceutical products.

Danyelle Haines, 18, fromBarrow, started on hermanufacturing apprenticeshipafter completing a medicalscience qualification

“I wanted an apprenticeshipin the area of science andmedicine after my collegecourse.

“I was going to university butI decided to apply for an appren-ticeship.

“This apprenticeship isunique and I was attracted bythe reputation of the companyand the products it produces.

“My training is going welland we are getting good experi-ence. I’m looking forward togoing on site and doing ourplacements and having a full-time role with the company.

Danyelle’s advice is:“Definitely apply, there’s somuch variety and goodopportunities with thecompany.”

ENJOYING WORK Year one engineering apprentices at GSK UlverstonPHOTO BY DOMINIC LAMB

ABOVE Danyelle Haines is aGSK manufacturing apprentice

PHOTO BY DOMINIC LAMB

BELOW Ted Jackson is a GSKelectrical engineering appren-tice PHOTO BY DOMINIC LAMB

RIGHT Joe Hambley is a GSKmechanical engineeringapprentice PHOTO BY DOMINIC LAMB

TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE Year one manufacturing apprentices at GSKUlverstion PHOTO BY DOMINIC LAMB

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Support

ange of optionsoffered b trainer

WORTHWHILE JOB Sam Coulson is a GSK manufacturing apprentice who is training at the Genurness Skills Centre in Ulverston PICTUR BY DOMINIC LAMB

making products which save lives, andthat makes the job worthwhile.

“I love my apprenticeship, you get areally rounded experience through thetraining and you are earning while youare learning.

“Gen2 is giving us those skills forwhen we go onto site.

“We have had a couple days on site.“It is really good meeting all the people

and seeing where we will be working.“I would like to get a full time job at the

end of my apprenticeship and work myway up, hopefully travelling the worldwith the company.”

Sam’s advice is: “Definitely have a goat applying. Manufacturing is a reallygood.”

You can find out more about Gen2apprenticeships on the website atwww.gen2.ac.uk.

The site describes apprenticeship asskills for life which could let you workanywhere in the world.

It notes: “The Gen2 Apprenticeshipprogramme will be structured which willallow you to gain specialist skills inengineering but more importantly allowsyou to gain skills that could help you get agood first step onto the career ladder,plus you will be paid while you learn.”

T AINING provider Gen2 haseverything from introductorytraineeships and apprenticeshipsto advanced commercial coursesand degree level programmes.

The group, with bases throughout thecounty, is able to provide support to youregardless of your stage on the careerladder.

Gen2’s urness Skills Centre, on theLightburn Trading Estate, Ulverston, ishosting an open day from 3pm to pm onTuesday, ebruary 23.

Recruiting has also started for theSeptember intake of apprentices anddegree learners.

There are openings for business andengineering apprentices and places onfully sponsored degrees.

An apprenticeship open day is beingheld at the Gen2 Energus Skills Centre, atLillyhall, near Workington, on Saturday,

ebruary 6.Places can be booked by emailing

recruitment gen2.ac.ukAmong the first year GSK

pharmaceutical product manufacturingapprentices training at Gen2’s urnessSkills Centre is Sam Coulson, 1 , fromUlverston.

He, was thinking about training tobecome a physiotherapist but he decideduniversity was not for him and opted foran apprenticeship.

He said: “I have always been interestedin the medical side of things, so workingfor GSK appealed to me because it is

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Experience

eveloping in house talentvital for compan ’s future

COM ANY S FUTURE The BA Systems September intake of apprentices There are first years from the September intake based at urness College full time PHILIP HAT I LD PHOTOGRAPHY

developing, building andsupporting the cutting-edgeproducts that will safeguardour national security in yearsto come.”

Around half of BAE’sapprentice places around theUK are based in Barrow.

BAE Systems invests morethan £80m in education andskills annually and iscommitted to offering highquality training programmes.

Apprentice applicationsclose at the end of ebruaryand higher apprenticesapplications close at the end ofthis month.● or more information visitthe website at www.baesystems.com/apprentices

complex technology.”Nigel Whitehead, the

group managing director,programmes and support, BAESystems, said: “BAE Systems isa company with greatambitions and nurturing ahigh calibre workforce is vitalto our future.

“We take great pride in therecord number of higher levelapprenticeships on offer thisyear and the exciting introduc-tion of master level degrees forour existing employees.

“BAE Systems remainscommitted to developing theskills needed in our sector.

“ ur apprentices enjoy notonly high quality training butreal hands-on experience

learning and development atBAE Systems in Barrow said:“We are committed toproviding high quality appren-ticeships and offer a range ofpathways into the company forpeople of all ages and skilllevels.

“Developing in-house talentis vital for the future of ourbusiness so we’ve increasedour capacity in off the jobtraining centres to ensure wecontinue to offer a wide varietyof opportunities.

“2016 will bring challengesand exciting opportunities. Wehope a new wave of apprenticeswill join our highly skilledteam that delivers some of theworld’s most unique and

BAE Systems Submarinesin Barrow is looking torecruit hundreds ofapprentices in 2 aspart of the ongoingcommitment to nurturetalent and high end skills.

BAE’s submarine design andmanufacturing site willbe taking on 309 advancedapprentices and 39 higherapprentices this year, at thesite which is delivering theremaining Astute class attacksubmarines and developingand building the new‘Successor’ submarines.

The apprenticeship schemeat BAE Systems offersvocational experience as wellas training up to degree andmasters level, providingapprentices with theopportunity of full timeemployment with a recognisedqualification at the end of theirtraining.

There are opportunitiesacross all craft trades includingmechanical fitters, pipeworkers, electricians, sheetmetal workers, steelworkers,welders, and designers.

The higher apprenticeshiproles are available acrossfunctions including projectmanagement, finance, HR,operations, IT, engineering andother areas of the business.

Ted Creighton, the head of

Option

aint specialityakes a ret rn

after yearsR the first time in two decades BAE Systems

is offering painting apprenticeships.Due to the advancement and complexity of

new coating systems the shipyard is bringingback the skills as a core occupation.

The role of a painter includes working withtools and equipment that are used for thepreparation of surfaces to enable specialisedmarine coatings to be applied.

These coatings need to be applied within thecorrect environmental conditions within thesubmarines site.

The role of a painter could involve abrasiveblasting, spray paint application, using stateof the art equipment to conduct specialisedactivities or detailed work to support a finalinspection of a submarine compartment.

Apprentices will also be trained in theapplication of state of the art acoustic andanechoic submarine stealth tiling and specialistcasting techniques.

SU ORTING TRAINING Nigel Whitehead right the group managing director programmes andsupport for BA Systems presents Paul Carr with the Apprentice Support award at the company sannual awards in SUBMITT D

S ECIAL COATINGS Inside the commandmodule of the Barrow-built Astute nuclear-powered submarine terior coatings are a keyto the effectiveness of any submarine SUBMITT D


Case studies

rothers see opportunit to progress

GOOD MENTORS Brothers Luke left and Danny Shaw who are higher apprentices at BA Systems Submarines inBarrow PHOTO BY BA SYST MS

also considered full-time universitystudy.

He said: “I chose the higherapprenticeship for the businessexperience. Although I have onlybeen in the business for fivemonths but I feel I have developed alot as a person and that my abilitieswithin the work place havedeveloped.

“Throughout the scheme we get alot of reviews to see how far wehave come. I feel like I haveimproved a lot.

“We have access to so manydifferent people, we have goodmentors.

“It is a massive advantage thatour higher education in funded.

“I chose businesses managementbecause it was something that wasmore related to the business studiesthat I was doing at Barrow Sixth

orm.”Luke said higher apprenticeship

schemes are well promoted inschools and colleges as a goodoption for young people.

The former Barrow A C youthfootballer, said he also enjoysstretch assignments working withthe community.

He is just starting to work withthe Young Enterprise team at StBernard’s Catholic High School asan ambassador to assist them withthe project.

Danny is passionate aboutengaging with students in the areato inform them about the careeropportunities on their doorstep.

“It’s a very credible way ofgetting a degree and furtheringyour education.

“I would urge anyone that wantsto progress themselves into acareer, alongside higher education,to seriously consider it as anoption.

“It’s hugely exciting time atthe business, there is a lot ofdevelopment work.”

Luke saw how much his brotherenjoyed the programme, but he had

options for the future.”inance is a five year

programme with the higherapprentices working towards ATTqualifications then charteredCIMA qualifications.

Danny said it has been a massivelearning experience completing abreath of placements across thecompany and working withmentors.

“You get a core understandingand knowledge of the finance areas.

always wanted to go to a gooduniversity, but I didn’t really knowtoo much about higher apprentice-ships and what they offered so Iresearched them.

“You get higher education fullyfunded by the company whilegetting the work training, so afterlooking into it, it seemed to be a nobrainer being without the burdenof university debt.

“I’m so glad I made the choice Idid, it has given me so many

TWO brothers believe it wasa “no brainer” for them toapply to become higherapprentices at BAE SystemsSubmarines with the greatopportunities on offer.

The talent of siblings Danny andLuke Shaw is being nurtured atBarrow shipyard through the postA-Level careers programme.

BAE offers higher apprentice-ships in various function areas,including; finance, project manage-ment, human resources, IT, nuclearand naval architecture.

The company pays for theemployees to complete highereducation and industry qualifi-cations alongside their training.

Applications for the next cohortof higher apprentices closes thisSunday.

Danny, 20, learnt more about thescheme through a presentation atBarrow Sixth College.

He now returns to his old collegeand schools across the area toinform other young people aboutthe programme.

The third year finance higherapprentice even presented thebenefits of the scheme to hisbrother at Barrow sixth form.

Luke, 18, also opted for a higherapprenticeship, but projectmanagement was his area of choice.

The brothers had applied for full-time university places but decidedthat higher apprenticeships werethe obvious option for them.

Danny said: “I applied forRussell Group universities, I

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Careers

ount training forwide range of roles

GETTING STARTE This is the induction for the first year of Cumbria County Council apprentice trainingwhich took place in November 11 at the Energus centre at Lillyhall near Workington SUBMITTED

them to apply for job roles.”As well as giving the

apprentices valuable hands onexperience, the council also helpsthem with job applications andregular performance reviews.

It also offers higher levelapprenticeships to employees tohelp them progress their careersin the organisation.

“The support that our teamsgive them is fantastic,” said MissMetcalf.

“They really do go out of theirway to help them and developthem.

“They are not only workingtowards qualifications, but theconfidence and knowledge theygain is ama ing. That is down tothe teams they work with.”

human resources to health care.Since it began offering appren-

ticeships in 2011, the council hastaken on 2 8 apprentices with 66working for it now.

More than 1 0 apprenticeshave gone into full time workeither at the council or elsewhere.

“The youngsters show so muchinitiative and they can have adifferent way of working with theteams around the county,” saidapprentice manager LynneMetcalf.

“So many of them areinvaluable and we support

T might not necessarily bethe first place that comes tomind when you thinkof apprenticeships butCumbria County Counciloffers a huge range of waysto train and get paid at thesame time.

However, when you thinkabout it, it is obvious whyCumbria County Council is sucha great place to work and train.

The work of local authoritiestouches almost every aspect ofthe community.

This means the type of workthey do is equally broad and thereare opportunities to get involvedin everything from stonemasonryto civil engineering, or from

Management

Pro e t aimsat re overafter storm

WOR AN LAY Cumbria County Council apprenticeJamie Street combines a pro ect managementapprenticeship with playing semi-professional football

SUBMITTED

December. The team I am in,is the capital programmeteam and deal with proper-ties and highways,” he said.

“We have been trying toget temporary classrooms forschools that have beenflooded.

“Project management isn’treally something you can justread about and do.

“You learn most from theexperiences, communicatingwith people and dealing withcustomers and all thedifferent needs that peoplehave.”

Jamie is hopeful that hewill be able to get a job withthe council after finishing hisapprenticeship.

“There is no guaranteedjob, but doing a job andworking in the council wouldbe the aim,” he said.

“Working for the council isbrilliant. We don’t get treatedany differently from anyother colleague. People aremore than happy to help youout.”

M E Street begana pro ect managementapprenticeship withCumbria County Council in September.

Jamie, who is originallyfrom Perth in Australia,moved to Cumbria two yearsago to play football withWorkington AFC.

Although he still playsfootball as a semi profes-sional with Lancaster City,Jamie is focusing on devel-oping a career in projectmanagement.

“It is excellent and it’s a lotmore than what I expected,”said Jamie, who lives inAinstable.

“I knew what projectmanagement was, but theapprenticeship was a way todo it on the job and learn andget involved in actualprojects.”

Recently Jamie has beenparticularly involved helpingdamaged schools recoverafter Storm Desmond hit in

Case study

Chan e to ta knowledgeo established workers

A RENTICE ECHANIC Beth Luck works for Cumbria County CouncilSUBMITTED

to complete her three-yearapprenticeship with a level threeNV .

“I would like to stay on and get ajob at the council because I like thepeople I am working with,” she said.

“I am a girl in a workshop, buteveryone has been so accepting andthey give me a chance to work on allsorts of things and they areall supporting me to get myqualification.

“You are working alongsidepeople who have been in the job a lotlonger than you and they arepassing their knowledge on to you.

“There’s always time to ask aquestion and you can learn byseeing and, for me, that is a loteasier way to learn.”

BETH Luck, 16, from Penrith, beganworking as an apprentice atCumbria County Council’s SkirsgillHighways Depot in September.

“I am a fleet services motorvehicle maintenance and repairmechanic and I work with every-thing from cars to fire engines andeverything in between,” she said.

“I had to make the choice betweenA-levels or doing an apprenticeshipbut I am loving it and I am sure Imade the right choice.

“I am an academic person but Ialso love to work hands on asopposed to sitting in a classroom.

“I like to see things being doneand I think I learn better that way.”

Beth, who goes to study on dayrelease at Carlisle College, hopes

Case study

n a ts and ig resUSINESS STU IES Cumbria County Council apprentice

Sophie Heppell SUBMITTED

work to produce documentsto go to court and there is alot of work aroundconfidentiality and the DataProtection Act.”

Sophie is consideringdoing a legal qualificationand potentially becoming alegal clerk after completingher apprenticeship.

“I would like to stay at thecouncil if I can,” she said.

“Everyone is lovely andthere is always conversationand always people willing tohelp you out.

“They have got all sorts ofbenefits with flexi time andholidays and pensions.”

SOPHIE Heppell, 19, fromAspatria, is in the first year ofa business administrationapprenticeship with CumbriaCounty council’s legalservices department.

“I love it and I don’t want toleave,” said Sophie, whoworks with the council’schildren’s services team.

“I was working for a yearand before that I was studyingto be a hairdresser.

“But I was alwaysinterested in businessbecause I went to a school inNorthumberland and theydid a lot of business studiesand I enjoyed it there.

“You are doing a lot of

Opportunities

ays to get started with the o n ilHERE are some of the apprenticeship areas on offer at Cumbria County Council.� Intermediate Children and Young People’s workforce� Intermediate/Advanced Health and Social Care� Intermediate/Advanced Vehicle Maintenance and Repair� Intermediate/Advanced Business and Administration� Advanced IT application� Specialist Advanced Civil Engineer� Technician� Advanced Electro Technical (Street Lighting)� Advanced Emergency Fire and Rescue Operatives� Higher Project Management� Higher Human Resources

by iles rownnews correspondent

e: news nwemail.co.uk


Partnerships

uilding skillsand motivationfor orkplace

SIGIFICANT NUMBERS Helen Wharton is the director of employer and adult learning at urness Collegeand is rising to the challenge of much greater interest in apprenticeships LINDS Y DICKINGS

FU NESS College trains morethan apprentices, workingin partnership with a range oflarge companies through to self-employed people.

Helen Wharton, director ofemployer and adult learning at

urness College said: “Here aturness College we are seeing

significant numbers of people wantingto start an apprenticeship.”

“In November, the ChancellorGeorge sborne stressed thegovernment’s commitment to skillsdevelopment and the apprenticeshipprogramme; with a target of creatingthree million apprenticeship places by2020. It is a key priority for thegovernment.

“An apprenticeship is a way foryoung people and adult learners toearn while they learn in a real job,gaining a real qualification and a realfuture.

“Hiring apprentices helpsbusinesses to grow their own talent bydeveloping a motivated, skilled andqualified workforce, said MrsWharton.”

urness College is working inpartnership with huge numbers ofemployers in the area, supportinglarger employers such as BAESystems and Centrica, small tomedium si ed employers as well as anumber of self-employed people whomay be taking on an employee for thefirst time.

Barrow borough has one of the

highest proportions of people with anapprenticeship qualification and thisnumber continues to increase.

The engineering sector continues toengage large numbers of people butthere is growth of this traditionalwork-based route across many othersectors.

These include construction,hospitality and catering, accountancyand business.

Mrs Wharton said: “Apprentice-ships support businesses, by helpingthem grow by reducing training andrecruitment costs, increasing produc-tivity and the bottom line, developinga skilled, motivated and qualifiedworkforce, whilst improving customerservice results and providing financialreturn on investment.”

The college been graded by fsted as‘good’ for its apprenticeship delivery,Mrs Wharton said: “Ensuring learnershave a quality experience is extremelyimportant to us.

“ urness College employs aprofessional business developmentteam and work based assessors whowill support employers every step ofthe way, helping them to understandwhat is necessary and to provideon-going, expert support to thelearners who start an apprenticeshipwith the college.” FINDING OUT urness College s Helen Wharton with IT apprentice Abbey Tunstall LINDS Y DICKINGS

ALMOST REAL Apprentice pipe fabricators who were the first to use a mock submarine section built for the training of BA Systems apprentices at urness College LINDS Y DICKINGS


Case study

hance to earnhile learning

on college place

UALITY TRAINING urness College IT apprentice Abbey Tunstall pictured at urness CollegeLINDS Y DICKINGS

Q: What do you enjoy aboutyour apprenticeship?

A: I enjoy the fact that I am in aworking environment.

“It definitely has a huge impact inhelping me towards my qualificationand makes the whole apprenticeshipmuch more interesting. The extrabenefit for me is that I work within

urness College, so I have easy accessto further help if I need it.

“My team are excellent in suppor-ting me with my college work, and Ilike the fact my monthly reviews withmy assessor mean if I have anyquestions to ask or I am stuck on aspecific part of my work, I can receivethe help I need before the work needsto be submitted.

Q: Why would you recommendan Apprenticeship?

A: I would recommend an appren-ticeship as it allows you to build upthe knowledge and skills needed inyour workplace, whilst gaining theright qualifications and earningmoney all at the same time. Thetraining received allows you to beshown the right skills in order for youto become a fully qualified member ofstaff.”

ABBE Tunstall, 2 of alton,is a Furness College ITapprentice and has provided aninsight into what made her optfor this form of work training.

Q: Why did you choose to do anapprenticeship?

A: The reason for choosing anapprenticeship was because I wantedto carry on working full time as wellas working towards an ITqualification.

As this was the career path I wasinterested in taking, I decided that thebest option for me was ‘earn whileyou learn’ which is part of what anapprenticeship entails.

“Being an apprentice allows me toearn while working alongside experi-enced staff to gain job-specific skills.

Q: Why did you choose FurnessCollege to study with?

A: As I knew several people whohad completed their courses withexcellent grades, this showed to methe quality of training provided wasabove and beyond.

“I chose urness College due to itsexcellent reputation around the localarea and the convenience it has forbeing close to where I live.

www.nwemail.co.uk4 APPRENTICESHIPS Tuesday January 26 2016North-West Evening Mail

Programme

ollege provides springboardto future orkplace success

BIG INVESTMENT The Kendal College ngineering Centre SUBMITT D

The ongoing programme ofinvestment at Kendal College hasseen more than £2 m ploughed intonew facilities, equipment andresources since 2003 with a newengineering, science, technology andA-Level centre and a pioneering newAnimal Rescue Centre being themost recent additions.

Later this year, a £2.5m studioredevelopment of the Arts and MediaCampus at Kendal’s Wildman Streetwill also be completed offeringmodern facilities as well as newcreative apprenticeship options.

Graham Wilkinson, principal atKendal College, said: “Encouragedby some key developments, like theopening of our state-of-the-artEngineering Centre, demand for newapprenticeship courses at KendalCollege is at an all-time high.

“College is most definitely thespringboard to future success andwe’re delighted that our successrates have now risen year on yearsince 2011 as we continue to workclosely with employers to ensuretheir apprentices develop skills andachieve their true potential.

“The United Kingdom isexperiencing ongoing skillsshortages in many employmentareas but the apprentices of todayand tomorrow can play a key role infilling these.

“We would advise any business tolook at taking on an apprentice –these are the people who want tolearn at the same time as gainingvaluable qualifications in theirchosen career. It’s a win win ”

THANKS in part to campaignsby the government, nationalawareness and the popularityof apprenticeships is at anall-time high.

Likewise, more apprentices arecoming through the doors of KendalCollege than ever before.

Last year alone, the collegesupported 962 apprentices, meaningthat Kendal College trains moreapprentices than any other college inCumbria.

Not only are there a highernumber of apprentices, KendalCollege says their apprentices arealso achieving better results.

The most recent figures from theSkills unding Agency show thatKendal College apprentices areconsistently outperforming thenational benchmark for successrates in the UK’s further educationcolleges.

or 16 to 18-year-olds specifically,this moves Kendal College into thetop five per cent of the UK’s furthereducation colleges for overallsuccess rates.

As the only fsted ‘outstanding’college in Cumbria and NorthLancashire, there are more than 30different types of apprenticeshipprogrammes available to study atKendal College; from Level Two upto degree Level.

Subject choices are wide andvaried ranging from engineeringand construction, animal care andhealth and social care, to businessmanagement and IT.

ver the years, the college hasdeveloped a vast amount ofexperience working with employersin the area to create excitingapprenticeship programmes, whichboth enhance and complement skillsgained in the workplace.

Learning

Setting thestan ar s

EM LOYER S VIEW ShaunHannaway is the learning anddevelopment advisor at SiemensSubsea in Ulverston SUBMITT D

SHAUN Hannaway is learningand development advisor atSiemens Subsea in Ulverston.

Siemens Subsea currentlyhas five apprentices and threeadult learners attending KendalCollege and has been workingwith the college for the pastthree years.

He said: “Kendal Collegedelivers an excellent standard oflearning for our apprentices.

“At the outset, we had somelengthy meetings with them toensure our requirements werefully understood.

“ ur discussions startedwhilst the college’s multi-million pound engineeringcentre was being built and thisreally opened up opportunitiesfor using the college forengineering.

“We were also then able tolook at applicants from furtherafield, opening up a whole newtalent pool towards the end ofthe A590, including schools inthe Lancaster, Milnthorpe andKendal areas.

“Working with KendalCollege has made us a moreviable career option for peoplein the wider South Lakes area.

“ ur apprentices reallybenefit from their time atcollege, the skills and knowledgethey gain allows them tointegrate into the workplacereally well.

“Because the skills learned atcollege are transferrable, we’resafe in the knowledge that ourapprentices develop the skillsneeded to come into theworkplace and use variousmachinery without puttingthemselves or others at risk, ashealthy and safety is paramountto us.

“Kendal College also signpoststudents to us and promote ourapprenticeships.

“They understand the qualityof apprentices we currentlyhave and what our futurerecruitment requirements maybe.

“If they have a student withsimilar high standards andpotential, they will always tryto find them suitable localemployment.

“ ver the years, we havedeveloped an excellent college –employer relationship.” KEY DEVELO MENTS Kendal College principal Graham Wilkinson

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REMOTE O ERATION James Brownsord is a Siemens apprentice at Kendal College SUBMITT D

www.twitter.com/nwemlive North-West Evening Mail APPRENTICESHIPS 5Tuesday January 26 2016

Case study

ractical methodis ideal for man

BROADER HORI ONS Steph Mole from Barrow did a social media and digital marketing for businessaprenticeship at Kendal Museum which she has completed through Kendal College SUBMITT D

“Sometimes I had to figure out myown way of doing things but then Ialways had my tutor if I needed to askany questions.

“It was almost like having a mentorwho was always really happy to help.

“That practical way of learningreally worked for me and working in amuseum was a lot of fun.

“It opened my eyes to working in thewhole cultural heritage sector as Iwould never have considered it but it’sa really interesting environment towork in and now, if an opportunity didcome up to work in a museum, I wouldprobably take it.

Q: What advice do you havefor people considering anapprenticeship?

A: “If you don’t know exactly what todo but there’s an area you’re interestedin then an apprenticeship is always anoption.

“It gives you so many skills and kindof sets you a little bit ahead of anyonewho’s doing A-Levels or other coursesas you’ve got that added workexperience.

“And in certain subjects, after anapprenticeship you can definitely go touni.

“So many people think you can’t butyou can do an apprenticeship and go toUni, you don’t have to do follow themore traditional A-Level path.

“There’s always an option.”

STE H Mole, , of Barrow, hasjust completed her -monthapprenticeship in social mediaand digital marketing forbusiness (Level Three N Q) atKendal Museum through KendalCollege.

Steph now hopes to go on touniversity next year to study graphicdesign.

She explains how the training helpedher and offers a few tips for peoplethinking about an apprenticeship.

Q: Why did you start anapprenticeship?

A: “I had always planned to go tosixth form but after my GCSEs I decidedI was happy to be done with that type ofclassroom-based learning.

“At school, I was given theimpression that you could only getapprenticeships in subjects likeengineering through BAE.

“However, once I realised that youcould get an apprenticeship in prettymuch anything, I was able to broadenmy hori ons and look outside of theimmediate area.

“The apprenticeship at KendalCollege was the one that interested methe most.

Q: How have you found yourapprenticeship?

A: “I really didn’t know what toexpect at all but I did have a lot moresupport than I had thought.


Expansion

ompan looks to takeapprentice total to

ARTNERS Stuart McCourt is the education development and community lead for SellafieldLtd SUBMITT D

time after employment withthe company.

“It’s about having the rightpeople in the local area andkeeping people in the area toencourage economic growth,”said Mr McCourt, who is fromWhitehaven.

“I do quite a lot ofcommunity and youth workin the area and so it is apersonal interest for me aswell as a professional one.

“I want to see the area dowell.”

“Part of this involvestransferring some of ourtraditional apprenticeshipsinto degree apprenticeshipsso that the people will bequalified up to degree level,”said Mr McCourt.

The company is also part ofthe government’s Trailbla erinitiative to create appren-ticeships which will trainpeople to new levels ofexpertise.

Mr McCourt said 98 percent of apprentices went full

As well as working withtraining centre Gen2 inLillyhall to employ appren-tices in Cumbria, Sellafield isalso partnered with Wiganand Leigh College, whichtrains apprentices workingon its site in Warrington.

As well as creating a newbatch of employees to workwith the company into thefuture, Sellafield’s appren-ticeship scheme is also aimedat keeping young talent in thearea.

IF you are young andlooking for a career, itmight just be the idealtime to work forSellafield Ltd.

The company is looking totake on 165 apprentices thisyear – taking the totalnumber to 550.

It has also pledged tobecome part of the govern-ment backed “ ive Per CentClub”, meaning apprenticesand trainees will make up fiveper cent of its employees by2020.

What’s more, the very factyou are young and at the startof your career is a distinctadvantage.

“We have quite an agingworkforce,” said StuartMcCourt, education, develop-ment and community lead forthe company.

“A lot of the workforce arelooking towards retirementand there’s an obvious need tostart getting people in and fillthe jobs.”

Sellafield’s drive to engageyoung people begins earlywith schemes in schools toinspire children about theopportunities available in thenuclear industry.

“The main aim is to give thestudents and people in thelocal area the informationthey need to make aninformed choice,” said MrMcCourt.

MORE LACES Sellafield Ltd is aiming to have five per cent of its workforce made up of apprentices by SUBMITT D

MOVING FOWARD Sellafield Ltd is to take on newapprentices this year SUBMITT D

DIFFERENT SKILLS It takes a wide variety of disciplinesfor staff to respond to the changing needs of a ma orbusiness such as Sellafield Ltd SUBMITT D

by iles ro nnews correspondent

e: news nwemail.co.uk


Adminstration

pport nity thereto be set p for life

MEETING EO LE Sellafield Ltd apprentice GeorgiaDe Groot SUBMITT D

GE RGIA De Groot ,19, from Cockermouth, is in thesecond year of a two year apprenticeship withSellafield Ltd to get a level two NV in businessadministration.

She said: “I had just finished college and I waslooking for something else to do and I thoughtlearning on the job would be good.

“I had previously done business management andI knew I wanted to do an apprenticeship and I amreally enjoying it.

“There is so much variety, I am not just stuck inone part of the organisation.

“My apprenticeship has different locations. I wasworking in decommissioning for a start and thenstakeholder relations and now I am in the technicalengineering directorate.

“People underestimate how much there isinvolved in administration.

“It is so interesting and you get to meet a lot ofpeople and help out with conferences and when youqualify there are so many doors open.

“I would love to get a permanent job here. I can seemyself being here for a long time and it sets you upfor life really.

“You learn on the job and get paid for it as well.”

Case study

Looking for training witho ttoo ch classroo ti e

ENGINEERING FOCUS Philip Marwood is asecond year apprentice with Sellafield Ltd

SUBMITT D

experience and help in a workenvironment so the apprenticeship atSellafield fitted perfectly.

“At the moment I have done my firstyear of training and I am into mysecond year.

“I am dealing with smaller jobs thatare happening up in Sellafield. Theyare only basic at the moment and weare just learning the ropes.

“I do day release to college, which isplaying an important role in learningall the maths I need.

“But mainly it is hands on and I ambeing given jobs that test the skills Ihave learned. It is all focused ondeveloping me as a person.

“I think it is a set of skills andexperience that will set you up for life.

PHILIP Marwood, 22, from Dronfield,Derbyshire, is an apprentice atSellafield’s Warrington office in thesecond year of a four year apprentice-ship to get level four HNC as anengineering technician.

He said: “I finished my A-levels andI didn’t want to go to uni and I wantedto get involved in engineering anddesign and I was looking for anapprenticeship but there was verylittle information around.

“I happened to come across theSellafield apprenticeship scheme andthankfully I got a job.

“I am a very hands on sort of personand I enjoy working.

“I don’t want to be in a classroom allthe time.

“I wanted to get practical

Quality

rime inister told aboutgro th in training places

ROUD MOMENT Sellafield Ltd apprentice training manager Steve Bewsher right and mechanical design apprentice PhilipMarwood centre were selected to represent the company at Downing Street last week to meet Prime Minister DavidCameron SUBMITT D

further 165 apprentices this year.“This takes the total of young

people in training with Sellafield Ltdto a landmark 550 apprentices.”

He said the company was alsotaking the lead on developing newtop-quality training such asthe Trailbla er and degree apprentice-ships, and to grow the local skills baseto make Cumbria a Centre of NuclearExcellence.”

Business Secretary Sajid Javid saidat the event: “Three million moreapprenticeships by 2020 means evenmore life changing opportunities forour young people.

“More than that, apprenticeshipsmake sense for business.

“That’s why some of the country’stop business leaders are comingtogether to bang the drum forapprenticeships.

“We are putting employers at theheart of quality apprenticeships sothat young people get the skills theyneed to succeed.

“Today we are celebratingeverything that apprenticeships haveto offer businesses and young people.”

AS the Government looks tocreate three million moreapprenticeships in the UK by2 2 , Sellafield Ltd was invitedas a top UK business’ to helpraise awareness and to debatehow apprenticeships can beimproved in the UK.

Recognising Sellafield Ltd’scommitment to increasing thequantity and quality of apprentice-ships in the nuclear industry, theGovernment invited Sellafield Ltd toan apprenticeship celebration eventin 10 Downing Street last week.

Apprentice training manager,Steve Bewsher, and mechanicaldesign apprentice, Philip Marwood,were selected to represent thecompany.

Steve said: “ ne of our mostimportant investments is equippingthe next generation with the skillsthey need for a long and successfulcareer.

“We are immensely proud, alongwith our training partners Gen2 andWigan Leigh College, to welcome a

SUCCESS STORY Business Secretary Sa idJavid wants to put employers at the heart ofuality apprenticeships SUBMITT D


Skillsfest

hance to discover keto the orld of ork

COMMITTED TEAM ictoria mmett is the area operations managerat Inspira LINDS Y DICKINGS

Skillsfest this Saturday at Theorum, in Barrow, from 11am to

2.30pm.Mrs Emmett said Skillsfest is good

opportunity for young people to seeother young people in apprentice-ship roles.

She said: “Skillsfest is a fantasticevent which gets better year on year,it is growing, people are becomingmore aware of it.

“It is part of the calendar now, andmore parents are attending.

“It is a fantastic thing for the localcommunity to see all the organi-sations together putting on such asgood showcase event.”

Skillsfest is organised by Inspirawith urness Education and SkillsPartnership.

It features a range of interactivestands hosted by businesses,primary and secondary schools,further education colleges andtraining providers.

The festival gives opportunitiesfor local young people to learn aboutthe world of work and to becomebetter informed about career choiceson their door step.

There is the chance for thoseapplying for apprenticeships andemployment to take part in mockinterviews and gain other advice.

Inspira is in Dalton Road, Barrow.Mrs Emmett said: “We are based

in the high street come and see us.”

apprenticeship programmes.“That is why apprenticeships

have taken off so well.”Inspira itself is looking for a new

business admin apprentice to jointhe team.

Mrs Emmett said: “I think it’svital that Inspira has its own appren-tices, we can’t advertise the benefitsof apprenticeship schemes and nothave our own.

“We have a good team ethos andapprentices are made to feel part ofthat team, they are an integral role.”

The new operations manager hasalso seen the benefits of apprentice-ships from the perspective of aparent, as well as in her professionalrole.

“My daughter livia is on anadvanced engineering apprentice-ship at Siemens and it is good qualityprogramme.

“I supported her through theapplications, she applied to variousorganisations and picked Siemens.

“I see the benefits for her, which isgreat.”

livia is one of the many STEMambassadors who will berepresenting local companies at

ST ONG partnership workand uality training have beenhighlighted as two of the keyfactors behind the success ofapprenticeships in SouthCumbria.

Inspira in Barrow recently hosteda New Year New Start event wherepeople looking for apprentices wereable to talk directly to localcompanies with apprenticeshipvacancies.

Victoria Emmett, the new Inspiraarea operations manager for urnessand South Lakes, said: “I’m reallylucky to have such a committed teamwho are working to prioritise theneeds of the client base in this area.

“It is providing an excellentservice for the young people andadults and quality provision,ensuring that they have access to theright opportunities to allow them todevelop with training and upskillingthem appropriately.

“We are working closely withother organisations to ensure youngpeople have access to good qualityapprenticeships, partnership is akey factor for us.

“I have never known an area likeurness to be so good at partnership,

schools and businesses areincredibly supportive of apprentices.

“It is a close knit community, thatis of benefit to people in the area.

“They are also good quality

Case study

Gaining new alicationsGAINING KNOWLEDGE Business administration apprentice CharlotteDawson at Inspira LINDS Y DICKINGS

many tools to help me in the futureincluding a NV qualification aswell as experience of the workingenvironment.

“I have gained many lifeskills including communication,team work/team building andorganisation as well as gaining newfriends.

“I have also been lucky enough tobe offered the chance to completemy Level Three with Inspira.

“I have been given extra respon-sibilities within my role and I amlooking forward to gaining moreexperience and knowledge aroundmy desired area of work.

Q: What would you sayto others considering anapprenticeship?

A: “I would recommend thatpeople do an apprenticeship as it isa great stepping stone for yourcareer as you get supportedthroughout the qualification andgain knowledge off of people whohave worked within that industry.”

CHARL TTE Dawson, 20, fromBarrow, is a business adminis-tration apprentice at Inspira inBarrow and has given her views onwhat the experience has given her.

Q: Why did you choose anapprenticeship?

A: “I was interested in the‘earning while you are learning’side of it and the experience that Iwas going to gain while completingmy qualification.”

Q: How did you gain yourapprenticeship with Inspira?

A: “I attended a session atInspira and I had given an advisormy CV during the session.

“I got a phone call a few weekslater asking if I would like to attendan interview for the business adminapprentice position.

“I became an apprentice inNovember 201 .”

Q: How have you found yourapprenticeship and what haveyou learnt?

A: I enjoyed my Level Twoapprenticeship as it has given me

TRY IT OUT rom left Rachael Hales mma Williams iona Berndtand Polly Blaikie at one of the Barrow Skillfest events

SH NAH ALCOCK PHOTOGRAPHY


Essentials

Bulk of first apprenticeswith firm after 20 years

SKILLED WORKFORCE Kimberly-Clark apprenticetraining coordinator Bob McClean JOE RILEY

sessions at Furness College orat the Gen2 training centre inUlverston.

“Over the years we have hadlots of success with candidatescoming out of the apprentice-ship and going into technicalroles within the mill,” said MrMcClean.

“We have also had some whohave moved to other companiesand are successful there.

“We now have a number ofapprentices who have taken ontechnical roles and manage-ment positions.

“I would say 70 per cent arestill working at the millfrom when we startedapprenticeships 20 years ago.

“I have to say that one of thebig pluses is that KimberlyClark put a lot of energy intoencouraging people to betterthemselves and improve theirknowledge.

“We are not just giving thema job or training, we arelooking to train them for acareer.”

apprentices have also beensponsored by Kimberly-Clarkto follow their education todegree level.

“The vast majority comestraight out of school at 16 afterdoing their GCSE’s,” said MrMcClean.

To get onto the apprentice-ship scheme, the youngstershave to have a grade C inmaths, English and science or acraft subject, then go through aseries of assessments, inter-views and tests.

“From 150 applicants wehave to get down to six,” saidMr McClean.

After four years the appren-tices will emerge with a level 3NVQ relevant to theirparticular discipline.

“They learn a lot fromworking with the techniciansand engineers and as theybecome more skilled theyactually lead some of thework,” said Mr McClean.

The apprentices also go onday release for classroom

“It is how we use theequipment and the people whouse it and maintain it that areimportant.”

For that last 20 years,Kimberly-Clark has beentaking on apprentices as itlooks to create a strong, skilledworkforce to take the companyinto the future.

Young people from schoolsand colleges in the area can doan apprenticeship in eitherelectrical, mechanical orprocess engineering which lastfour years.

For the first year the appren-tices learn the basics in themill’s dedicated skills centre,before putting the learning intopractice on the shop floor.

An impressive total of 97 percent of the apprentices willtake up a full time role at thecompany.

Over the years several

THE Kimberly-Clark millin Barrow has beenemploying apprentices for20 years and even has adedicated training centreon the site with a range ofopportunities on offer.

Most of us who use Andrexand Kleenex on a daily basisrarely stop think about whereit has come from.

However, for Kimberly-Clark’s employees at itsBarrow paper mill, ensuringthe quality and consistencyof these daily essentialsdominates their every workingday.

But, for all the complex andmassive machinery involved,apprentice training co-ordi-nator Bob McClean says it isthe people that are the mostvital part of the process.

“We need to have skilled andcommitted people, because theonly difference between us andthe opposition is the peoplewho work here,” he said.

Case studies

Challenge of new tasks toput enjoyment into work

OPPORTUNITIES Brad Joy is a Kimberly-Clarkelectrical engineering apprentice SUBMITTED

working in the mill understanding what isrequired

“They allow you to progress and helpyou along the way.”

Ryan Bowron, 18, from Barrow, is amechanical engineering apprentice.

He said: “I chose Kimberly Clark for myapprenticeship as I believed it was the bestprovider in the area.

“It has a low intake of apprentices so Iget more one-to-one training.

“I am really enjoying my time here dueto the variety of work and the people that Iinteract with.”

on the job as well as offering opportunitiesto better myself at college by learning thetheory.

“The welcoming environment allowsyou to work as part of a team to help solveany problems that you may encounterthroughout your learning process.”

Lois Turner, 20, from Flookburgh, is anelectrical engineering apprentice.

She said: “I chose Kimberly-Clarkbecause it has a good reputation for anapprenticeship.

“It allows you to gain qualificationswhilst giving you first hand experience

A GROUP of the young workers atKimberly-Clark have been speakingabout training and what influencedtheir decisions to opt for anapprenticeship.

Jake Davis, 17, from Gleaston, is doing amechanical engineering apprenticeship.

“It is really enjoyable coming into workand not knowing what you are going to bedoing, it keeps what you are doinginteresting.

“You pretty much learn something newevery day.

“A lot of people are amazed when theywalk around the mill and they see the scaleof what you are working on and how bigthe machinery actually is.

“Outside of work I do a lot with carracing and so I have always wanted to dosomething hands on.

“I could have done A-levels in physicsand maths and product design, but I wasn’tas keen on doing that as learning anengineering trade.

“I thought that to come and do theengineering training and get paid for it wasa lot better.

“Getting on to the apprenticeship washard, but I think if you prepare wellenough for it it is OK.

“The interviews were challenging butthey felt quite informal and they made mefeel comfortable.

“The support they give you here is reallygood and they are always advising us.

“They try to push you to do projects butthey will always help you as well.”

Brad Joy, 20, from Barrow, is anelectrical engineering apprentice.

He said: “After having an interest inengineering from an early age I havealways been keen to complete anapprenticeship.

“Kimberly-Clark was appealing to me asit offered one-to-one learning experiences

BEST PROVIDER Kimberly-Clark apprentice Ryan Bowron SUBMITTED

ENJOYABLE Jake Davies is a Kimberly-Clarkmechanical engineering apprentice SUBMITTED

TOP REPUTATION Kimberly-Clark electricalengineering apprentice apprentice Lois Turner

SUBMITTED

TECHNICAL CHALLENGES Kimberly-Clark apprentice Adam McBirnie SUBMITTED

NEW EXPERIENCES First year apprentices at Kimberly-Clark, from left, Harry Mellen, Samuel Shepherd, Callum Baynes, Michael Hall and Connor Ainsworth SUBMITTED

TRAINING BASE The Kimberly-Clark site on Park Road, Barrow, has been employing apprentices for 20 years HARRY ATKINSON

by Giles Brownnews correspondent

e: [email protected]


Initiative

hitehall ba ked s heme willsee advisers visit lassrooms

life. Our work advisers haveexpert knowledge about thelocal labour market andhave strong relationshipswith employers, meaningwe will be able to help teen-agers find the right trainingopportunities for them.”

really excited to be workingdirectly with schools, andhelping them identify thetypes of jobs, apprentice-ships and traineeships thatare available inBirmingham so that pupilscan have the best start in

mobility and social justice,ensuring we give all youngpeople the best chance to geton in life.”

Nigel Kimpton, districtmanager for the Depart-ment for Work andPensions, said: “We are

mously positive impact onyoung people’s prospects,helping to ensure that thetransition from school totheir next pursuit is asmooth and positive one.

“This scheme is funda-mentally about social

ground breakingscheme to give extracareers advice toschool pupils is beinglaunched by the government.

Advisers from Jobcentreswill offer 12 to 18-year-oldsan insight into the world ofwork and advice on optionslike traineeships andapprenticeships.

The advisers will helpschools offer quality workexperience opportunities soyoung people can gaindirect insights into whatpotential employers arelooking for.

Ministers said they hopedthe move would help young-sters focus on gaining theskills and experience theyneed.

Employment ministerPriti Patel, who launchedthe scheme in Birminghamearlier this month, said:“We want every youngperson, regardless of theirbackground, to be able toget on and reach their fullpotential and my mission isto make sure they get everyopportunity to do so.

“That is why we arefocusing on quality earlyyears childcare, educationand making sure everyyoung person is eitherearning or learning so thatthey get the best start in life.

“I am proud that our localJobcentre Plus advisers areon hand to give pupils extrasupport to help them makethe best choices for theirfuture.”

Schools will decide whatlevel of support advisersoffer to their pupils, whichcould include setting upwork experience place-ments or one-to-one advicesessions.

Work and pensions secre-tary Iain Duncan Smithsaid: “Extending Jobcentresupport into schools willhave a dramatic and enor-

NEW SCHE E Employment minister Priti Patel launches a new government scheme to give e tra careers advice to schoolpupils during a visit to Holy Trinity Catholic School in Birmingham

Media

Apprenticeshipsboost for disabledBROADCASTER Channel has announced that 2016 willbe the broadcaster’s Year ofDisability.It will make commitments toincrease representation ofdisabled people within thebroadcasting industry bothon and off screen.The channel said it willdouble the number ofdisabled people appearing in20 of its biggest shows – withdisabled contributors onprogrammes such asGogglebox, The Island, GrandDesigns, Hollyoaks, and FirstDates.Three hundred thousandpounds will be invested innew talent initiatives, withan off-screen commitment toprogress the careers of 20disabled people alreadyworking in the industry inChannel ’s 20 biggestsuppliers.Within the channel, 50 percent of all apprenticeshipsand 30 per cent of all workexperience placements willbe ringfenced for disabledpeople, the broadcaster said.

Channel ’s 360 DegreeDiversity Charter found thatover 2015, the broadcasterhad achieved 2 of the 30targets it set itself a year ago.

O ORTUNITY Sid Siddi uiof Channel show Gogglebox

Opportunities

Go ernment lan to boost a renti es

The target will mean aminimum of 2.3 per cent ofworkers starting each year inlarger public sector bodies inEngland will need to be appren-tices, it added.The government plans to deliverthree million apprenticeships by2020.

charge our drive to give young-sters the best start to workinglife.”

The new duty, to be part of theEnterprise Bill, will apply topublic sector bodies with 250 ormore employees in England andis set to be brought in later in theyear, BIS said.

NEW proposals to ensureapprentices make up more than2.3 per cent of the workforce inpublic bodies in England, havebeen announced by the govern-ment.

A consultation is beinglaunched on plans to makepublic sector employers take onmore apprentices, the Depart-ment for Business, Innovationand Skills said.

Skills minister Nick Bolescalled on the public sector to“step up” and offer the sameopportunities to young people assome businesses.

Mr Boles said: “Our appren-ticeships revolution has alreadygiven 2. million people thechance to learn the skills theyneed to get on in life, with busi-nesses leading the way.

“Now it’s time for the publicsector to step up and give thosesame opportunities as we turbo-

S ILLS The government plans to deliver three million apprentice-ships by .

apprenticeship guide 2016

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