TRAINING & RECRUITMENT VOCATIONAL LEARNING
IN-COMM TRAINING
200 apprenticeships up for grabs as In-Comm Training opens hotline for A-level and GCSE students
Apprenticeships will play an increasing role in an integrated solution for solving the shrinking labour pool impacting employers across the UK , predicts the boss of a leading West Midlands training provider .
In-Comm Training , which operates three Technical Academies in Aldridge , Telford and Shrewsbury , has seen a massive surge in the number of companies investing in vocational learning and currently has 201 vacancies available - the most at any time in its 40-year history .
This means there are lots of ready-made career opportunities for students receiving their A-level and GCSE grades , but unfortunately the news is getting lost or a lack of informed career advice is resulting in young people taking the ‘ perceived easier option ’ and opting for a course that later blocks them from obtaining their desired apprenticeship .
In order to help reverse this trend , the company has launched a dedicated hotline ( 01922 457686 , option 3 ) to guide young pupils / students and their families through the different choices and how vocational learning can now lead all the way to a degree without the £ 100,000 debt associated with going to university .
“ I don ’ t think we ’ ve ever seen such an appetite to invest in apprenticeships in the West Midlands , with nearly 80 different companies , across 20 sectors , currently working with us to find their workforce of the future ,” explained Gareth Jones , Managing Director of In-Comm Training .
“ This is great news on one hand , as it means we have over 200 immediate vacancies across 20 different apprentice pathways , including in Product Design , Mechatronics , Electrotechnical , Toolmaking , Machining , Quality , Production , Engineering Technician , Health , Safety & Environmental , Business Admin and Logistics .
“ Thanks to our unrivalled employer-led network , we have already filled 300 + positions , yet industry is desperate for more talent in order to grow sustainably .”
He continued : “ Worryingly , we have started to see the pipeline of candidates dry up and we ’ re putting this down to young people looking to take the simple route after Covid-19 and a lack of informed career advice on the different options out there .
“ What this means is that students are choosing to take up full-time classroombased technical qualifications that can later block them from obtaining their desired apprenticeship due to complex funding rules , leaving them with some knowledge but no real experience or competency .
“ In reality , hundreds of pupils / students are missing out on the chance to get world class technical training and hands-on work experience that guarantees jobs and rewarding careers . Our helpline will hopefully help give people the complete picture .”
Established in 1982 , In-Comm Training is one of the UK ’ s leading training providers , supporting more than 250 companies and training thousands of individuals every year .
The business will staff its dedicated helpline with four experts during working hours , with enquiries out of this time being responded to via email or social media .
It is also continuing to build links on the ground with primary / secondary schools and agencies , organising STEM days and holding special Open Days at its Technical Academies .
There will be a big end to the year for the family-run firm , with its eleventh annual awards taking place in September , the official launch of Telford Technical Academy pending and the big unveil on a unique industry collaboration .
Gareth concluded : “ Getting your results is a very exciting , but also a nervous time for young people and families .
“ We want to try to take away some of their concerns and the confusion that exists around different career paths , providing unbiased advice and providing exposure to the opportunities available within engineering and manufacturing . This will help people make educated career choices .
“ Gaining your A-levels is a great starting position for starting a higher-level apprenticeship and , with 201 places currently available , there ’ s no better time to consider vocational learning .”
For further information , please visit www . in-comm . co . uk or follow @ incomm _ training on twitter
Issue 58 PECM 153