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THE FORSHAW GROUP NATIONAL
APPRENTICESHIP ACADEMY
With far too many training organisations offering places to
young people with no real job opportunities, continuity or
sustainability upon completion of their training, together with
a growing message from the industry regarding an increase in
the skills gap, The Forshaw Group have looked at how best to
use the existing funding and training opportunities to raise the
profile of the construction industry as a better choice for school
leavers and young people by providing a sustainable workforce
that would bring benefits to their own business and the industry
as a whole. a unique insight into the insurance claims market. The Academy
offers ten unique days of exciting interaction for our young people
to meet together at organised regional and national awareness days
covering adventure, fundraising, charity and skills enhancement to
promote a healthy lifestyle and community involvement alongside
their chosen vocational training and career choice. The days
are sponsored and organised by insurance companies or other
participating organisations. The days are developed in conjunction
with the companies involved to ensure we all get the most out of
them.
With a firm commitment to their corporate and social
responsibilities, The Forshaw Group launched an academy that
includes a ten day programme of industry days, community days,
charity days and challenge/adventure days based around their
chosen NVQ apprenticeship training course. Why have The Forshaw Group developed the Academy?
We feel that every business involved in the insurance industry
supply chain and peripheral services has a corporate and social
responsibility to ensure the future well-being and sustainability of
our industry. Clients are demanding more from our suppliers on a
daily basis through introduction of new methods of working and
new skill requirements. These new demands are as a direct result
of our customers individual requirements on a claim by claim basis
and it seems right that we support each other to attain and retain
these skills over the next few years. We recognise that this is a first
in our market and we hope that we can attract other members of
the industry to join us in ensuring we make this as simple and
attainable as possible whilst creating unique opportunities for new
apprentices. Once established, we will look to work with schools
and other organisations to help ensure our industry and thus
supplier requirements can be met over future years.
The Forshaw Group joint managing directors, Liam Hanlon and
Jay Calvert, have a combined construction experience of over
60 years. Having worked through their youth training schemes,
trade apprenticeships, technician and various site management
roles, Liam and Jay have both acquired good qualifications and
understanding of their business requirements. Embracing three
decades of changes to working practices and skill base Liam and
Jay decided they wanted to offer something different for the young
people they engaged with through their Apprenticeship Training
Academy.
In recognition of this achievement, The Forshaw Group were
presented with ‘The Construction Industry Training Board CITB
SME Employer of the Year 2015’ which celebrates those who inspire
the industry at the Pride of Construction Awards. The Forshaw
Group were also invited to the Royal Albert Hall in London for the
British Insurance Awards 2016 as part of the Aviva UK General
Insurance team that won the ‘Business Sustainability/Corporate
Social Responsibility Initiative of the Year’ for the successful launch
of the Insurance Industry National Apprenticeship Academy.
What is The Insurance Industry National Apprenticeship
Academy?
The Academy is an exciting opportunity to create legacy in
bridging the predicted industry skills gap with young people
that are leaving school or in the first couple of years of work to
consider a career within the building arena aligned to insurance
needs. We can achieve so much more for these young people by
working together and this is a perfect opportunity to join up with
leading insurance companies in the UK on our exciting journey.
The Academy will welcome young people from any recognised
route of apprenticeship training including CITB, NVQ and City
& Guilds. The aim is to encourage the employment of apprentices
who will learn industry skills alongside a meaningful trade or multi
trades to support the required skills and development creating a
future sustainability future for all, whilst offering the apprentices
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How do people join the Academy?
Attracting young people into this challenging environment may
seem onerous but it has never been easier as there are numerous
local government agencies now able to deal with the selection
and recruitment of apprentices. Many of these organisations will
be linked to specific training providers and funding streams,
sometimes the funding can be obtained from more than one
source. The main source for the Construction Industry is the CITB
(Construction Industry Training Board). The various funding
streams available can offer a significant contribution towards the
training costs of new apprentices. Each representative company
will sign their acceptance of a support and commitment charter
and will nominate an Apprentice Ambassador for the company
to ensure the apprentices are informed and made available for the
Academy training days.
Graduation from the Academy
To graduate from the academy, apprentices must pass their chosen
apprenticeship programme/ training course, meet their individual
company demands of attendance, company requirements and
attend 9 out of the 10 Academy training days plus the Graduation
day itself to graduate from the National Apprentice Academy.
For more information, visit www.theforshawgroup.com.