Youngsters urged to consider apprenticeships

OFFICIAL figures reveal that nearly a million young people are unemployed and hundreds of thousands of them have never worked since leaving school or university.
In light of these shocking stats, young Britons are being encouraged to value and seriously consider apprenticeships, which can lead to successful and lucrative careers and are becoming increasingly sought after in the tough economic climate of today.

NICEIC, the UK’s voluntary regulatory body for the electrical contracting industry, has recently launched its own Apprentice Academy aiming to provide students with the necessary training and skills for jobs in the electrical industry.

The academy aims to build a real future for the electrical contracting industry which is currently enjoying growth with more men and women taking up the mantle.
The apprenticeships are run in partnership with Bedford College and consist of a series of fortnightly courses over two years followed by a final year of professional development under the guidance of NICEIC.
The course covers a wide range of topics ranging from first aid and risk assessments, to much newer areas such as renewable energy.
In addition to this, research carried out by the NICEIC reveals there is a huge leaning towards young females looking to take on a trade over a profession.
In the current climate 63% of 16 to 24-year-old women polled said they are more interested in learning a skilled trade rather than a profession, because a trade stays with them for life.
When asked which trade they would most like to learn, the number one choice was an electrician (35%), followed by a carpenter (21%), plumber (20%), builder (10%) and farrier (6%).
The least popular choice was a bricky, getting just one per cent of the votes.
Emma McCarthy, chief executive officer of Ascertiva Group - parent company of the NICEIC - said:

"Apprenticeships can make industries more effective, productive and competitive by addressing the skills gap directly.

"They are the proven way to train the workforce of the future.

“NICEIC’s Apprentice Academy offers students the best possible training.
"The course is an excellent way for young people, both male and female, to learn vital skills needed for a career in the electrical industry; it will give those starting out on their careers the knowledge to complete electrical installations in line with current and future working practices.”
For more information on how to apply for the Apprentice Academy or to find your locally registered electrician, click on this link - D A Woolgar