Apprentices are important to businesses across Northern Ireland
by George Fleming , president of the Londonderry Chamber of Commerce
T
here is a big focus in Britain and Ireland on university education . This is absolutely correct – universities drive economic development , they provide skills that are desperately needed by employers , while university research can be at the heart of innovations that support business growth .
All of which is why the Londonderry Chamber of Commerce is so strongly committed to the expansion of Ulster University ’ s Magee campus in Derry .
But the need for skills development goes beyond universities and degrees . Germany has one of the most successful economies in Europe – thanks , in large part , to its use of apprenticeships .
There is general acceptance that the German model cannot simply be copied and pasted into our labour market . But the experience of Germany does tell us that we need to treat apprenticeships more seriously .
Governments in Northern Ireland and Britain are beginning to recognise just how important apprenticeships are . This is especially necessary for us in Northern Ireland if we want to renew our manufacturing base .
This is epitomised by many of the owners and founders of some of the North West ' s successful indigenous engineering businesses such as Gallagher & McKinney , A & E Global , GB Engineering , Fleming Agri , Fast Engineering , Fab Plus to name a few , all have their roots steeped in apprenticeship training .
Schemes were run through the North West Regional College and the Londonderry training centres that were based in Springtown and Maydown .
The founders of these companies all had their basic engineering skills formed at apprenticeship level and have gone on to develop their entrepreneurial skills identifying niche market products and services that were in demand , both nationally and globally .
Once established , these businesses all accepted the need for apprenticeships to work alongside third level graduates to innovate and drive them forward . From humble beginnings , these engineering companies now employ hundreds of staff in the North West .
The Londonderry Chamber of Commerce provides services to its members that include networking and mentoring – helping members to learn from each other .
As part of this programme , we have visits to successful member businesses , whose owners pass on lessons they have learnt . One of our most recent visits was to award winning Derry company A & E Global , which is committed to the apprenticeship system .
A & E Global ’ s directors told our members how those apprenticeships sit at the heart of their strategy to grow the business and raise its productivity .
A & E Global is developing a welding school onsite to train apprentices with the specific skills they need for their business . The company is working closely with the North West Regional College to deliver bespoke skills training .
An example of the long term benefits of this approach can be seen from the fact that food technology companies whose staff were trained by the North West College have just won a series of Northern Ireland awards .
The combination of apprenticeships and investment into food technology by the regional college has driven innovation and business growth .
This has helped to develop our tourism and hospitality offer , creating a recognised regional expertise in the sector .
In the North West we recognise that improving the skills base in the labour market is essential for us to raise productivity , profitability and business sustainability .
Consequently the Londonderry Chamber of Commerce is lobbying for all three parts of the skills strategy to get stronger – that every school is an excellent school that serves the needs of all pupils ; that student numbers at Magee rise ; and that vocational skills – supported by apprenticeships and the further education sector – meet the needs of our subregional economy .
As part of this agenda , our Chamber is encouraging more employers to engage with the Northern Ireland government ’ s apprenticeship programme . Apprenticeships are available not only to school leavers , but also to older workers .
Young workers approved for apprenticeships are eligible for financial support from the government . Employers obtain a more skilled and more productive worker , who is trained to meet the specific needs of the employer .
The employee ’ s skills provide more value to the business , which is likely to translate into higher pay over the longer term . For school leavers , it means they can earn while they learn .
There are dozens of apprenticeship schemes for workers and employers to
QUOTABLEQUOTE
The combination of apprenticeships and investment into food technology by the regional college has driven innovation and business growth . This has helped to develop our tourism and hospitality offer , creating a recognised regional expertise in the sector .
choose from .
These include mechanical and electrical engineering , retail , construction and computer sciences , but also provide access to the professions , such as accountancy .
At present , the business environment is very challenging , with much uncertainty . What is certain is that businesses that are resilient and productive are best positioned to survive and thrive . And the key to productivity is to invest – not just in equipment , but also in skills .
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