Tag: apprenticeships

Barratt East Scotland to recruit seven new apprentices

Leading housebuilder Barratt East Scotland is to recruit seven new apprentices this year as part of its ongoing commitment to tackling the skills shortage in the construction industry.

The new trade apprentice roles, focused on bricklaying (three) and joinery (three), will work across Barratt’s developments in Edinburgh and the surrounding area. Barratt Homes East Scotland will also be recruiting a Level 3 Advanced Apprentice within its technical department.

This year, a total of 158 apprentices will start their careers with Barratt Developments PLC in exciting roles across the UK.

The new apprenticeship announcement comes ahead of the latest National Apprenticeship Week, running from 3 to 7 February, which celebrates the benefits of modern apprenticeships for individuals, businesses and the wider economy.

2020 is seen as a vital year for recruiting new talent into the construction industry as an estimated fifth of the current workforce will have retired by this year; according to data from the 2011 ONS Census which showed that one in five workers were aged over 55.

Skills shortages continue to be cited as a major risk to the growth and success of the construction sector, both in Scotland and across the UK. The latest construction market survey (Q3 2019) from RICS indicated that two in five respondents (41%) believe that a shortage of skilled labour remains a challenge and an obstacle to growth.

Alison Condie, Managing Director for Barratt East Scotland, said: “The construction industry is continuing to grow so there are exciting roles on offer that aren’t possible in other sectors.

“As the UK’s leading five-star housebuilder, we are committed to developing raw talent and giving young people opportunities to forge exciting new careers.”

The new apprentices, who start in the summer, will be based on a housing designated development site and will learn skills in bricklaying, carpentry, joinery or plumbing from experienced tradespeople.

They will also attend their local college to obtain qualifications and develop their trade skills.

All programmes are well structured and tailored to individual needs. Apprentices will receive encouragement, support and guidance to help them develop, giving the skills and qualifications for a successful career.

For further information about the roles available and to apply visit: www.barrattcareers.co.uk

For more information about Barratt Homes visit: www.barratthomes.co.uk.

 

National Trust for Scotland to grow next generation of gardeners

The National Trust for Scotland has unveiled a new garden apprentice scheme to help nurture the next generation of talent to care for its 38 heritage gardens and designed landscapes. Continue reading National Trust for Scotland to grow next generation of gardeners

Young people set the agenda for Holyrood’s Education and Skills Committee

Do some schools present university as the main path to take when college, training and work are equally valuable routes? This is just one question the Scottish Parliament’s Education and Skills Committee will explore in a new inquiry that will also look at whether information about other pathways, such as work and training, is offered in school. Continue reading Young people set the agenda for Holyrood’s Education and Skills Committee

8400 apprenticeship vacancies across the UK

8,400 apprenticeships positions currently waiting to be filled 

    • 8,400 apprenticeship vacancies currently advertised, but long way to go to meet UK government target of 3 million vacancies by 2020

    • Opportunities around the UK far from equal, with London and the South East having most vacancies

    • Average advertised salary for apprenticeships positions of £14,759 across UK

    • Law apprenticeships most lucrative, offering average salary of £23,900, the highest of any sector, followed by Engineering at £22,500

    • IT apprentices most widely advertised with 1,100 openings currently on offer, followed by Hospitality & Catering (1,050) and Teaching (740)

 With National Apprenticeship Week in full swing, almost 8,400 apprenticeship positions are currently up for grabs, according to new research by job search-engine Adzuna.  Continue reading 8400 apprenticeship vacancies across the UK

Leonardo apprentices create new ‘immersive’ work experience programme

  • The new work experience format at engineering company Leonardo allows high school students to experience what it would be like to have a career in a high-tech business
  • The programme, driven by the company’s engineering apprentices, aims to reflect the real-world impact of engineering and boost students’ enthusiasm for a career in STEM

The value of apprenticeships to Scottish industry could not be more topical, with 2018 marking the launch of Scottish Government’s ‘Year of Young People’ and the UK Government’s ‘Year of Engineering’. It was in the spirit of these two initiatives that apprentices at Crewe Toll-based engineering company Leonardo have created a completely immersive work experience programme for local high school students, believed to be an industry first. Continue reading Leonardo apprentices create new ‘immersive’ work experience programme