PRO INSTALLER JANUARY 2017
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Apprenticeship crossroads
A warning from MPs that the government’ s apprenticeships programme must raise skill levels is timely, the Federation of Master Builders( FMB) has said in response to a new report.
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PRO RECRUITMENT
Sarah McMonagle, director of external affairs at the FMB, said:“ The government is at a crossroads in its apprenticeship programme and ministers must now choose to either honour their pledge to increase the quality of apprenticeship training, or allow themselves to be consumed by the need to hit targets.“ The Public Accounts Committee emphasises strongly the need for the government to be unrelenting in its focus on quality apprenticeships and this is absolutely key. While the temptation may exist to water down apprenticeship standards in order to hit the three million target, this would smack of short termism and ultimately be counterproductive.“ Unless we act now to increase quality, people will continue to look down their noses at vocational training when it should be viewed with the same respect as other forms of further education such as university degrees. This is the only way to increase numbers and reach our apprenticeship targets we need in the longer term.” She concluded:“ In construction, it’ s particularly important that the government holds firm in the face of pressure from some larger contractors and house builders to introduce shorter and cheaper apprenticeship standards. The new Trailblazer apprenticeships were conceived as a way of empowering employers by allowing them to develop qualifications that genuinely fulfil their needs.“ Given that construction SMEs account for 85 % of employment in our sector, and train two thirds of all apprentices, their input and concerns should be central to the government’ s skills policy. We urge Ministers to take on board the committee’ s recommendations.”
www. fmb. org. uk
SCHEME KICK-STARTS GRADUATE CAREERS
IronmongeryDirect, the online and mail order supplier of ironmongery products, is on the hunt for budding young graduates to join its Graduate Management Scheme, as expansion across the business continues.
As part of the bespoke programme, graduates will spend time working across all departments within the company, helping to develop their leadership skills and business expertise in product management, operations, sales, marketing, ecommerce, IT, and finance and HR. Designed to shape future leaders within the business, the yearand-a-half long placement will provide talented young people with personalised leadership and technical training, giving them the skills needed to kick-start their careers straight after leaving university. During training, new recruits will be teamed up with a mentor, a line manager and a buddy who will all help guide, support and challenge them throughout the programme. After completing the course, graduates will also be in with a greater chance of securing a permanent leadership role within the firm. To support the search for talented individuals, IronmongeryDirect has also created a dedicated careers website, making it easier for candidates to see the roles available and then submit their applications.
Dimitra Koutsochera, who completed the course and is now a supply chain and inventory planning manager at the company, said:“ I learnt a great deal – not just when it came to improving my skills and business knowledge, but also in terms of my personal development and people management skills. I was able to gain a better understanding of my own talents and interests, which helped me to follow a career path that was personal and right for me.”
Visit http:// www. IronmongeryDirect. co. uk /