February 19, 2010 - Manufacturing and Engineering firms in the West Midlands are being sought to build upon the work started by the National Apprenticeship Service in partnership with Jaguar Land Rover - who are supported by the National Skills Academy for Manufacturing and Warwickshire College - on a project that overcomes some of the traditional barriers faced by smaller businesses in hiring apprentices.
Over and above its own requirements, Jaguar Land Rover has taken on 13 additional apprentices this year to support the Apprenticeship Expansion Programme. The pilot will see these high potential 'level 2 Apprenticeship Completers' become available in August, to smaller sized companies who employ less than 250 people (SME’s). It is envisaged that the solid recruitment process used, and employability skills developed by the apprentices during their time at Jaguar Land Rover and Warwickshire College, will stand them in good stead to go on to the ‘level 3’ Advanced Apprenticeship.
The Skills Academy, which is part of Semta, the sector skills council for science, engineering and manufacturing technologies has actively supported the initiative.
Bill Twigg, Development Director at Semta, explained: "The pilot project aims to place more young people into manufacturing whilst making it easier for SME’s to take on an advanced apprentice. Sometimes, SME’s are putting off taking on an apprentice because they fear that they will lose valuable time teaching a young person the very basics of working in a manufacturing environment or they lack the appropriate infrastructure.
“Under the Apprenticeship Extension Programme, participating companies will be able to take on a young person that has gained valuable experience of a work environment as well as a wide range of useful skills.
“Meanwhile the apprentices themselves benefit from developing basic engineering skills from a high profile company who have the appropriate infrastructure to give them a great start.”
So far several companies who wouldn't normally take on apprentices have indicated an interest. The Skills Academy is helping with the deployment of these apprentices into local SME's.
Bill added: “The project has already been well received and two SMEs have already committed to getting involved by taking on some of these apprentices.”
“However, there is still the opportunity for other businesses to recruit some of these apprentices. We would be delighted to hear from any manufacturers in the West Midlands who would like to take advantage of this innovative project that looks set to have huge benefits for Jaguar Land Rover, SMEs and the apprentices.”
Ian Eva Manager, Apprentice Programmes and External Networks at Jaguar Land Rover, said: “The Apprenticeship Extension Programme pilot is a great opportunity for large organisations like ourselves to help overcome some of the difficulties and concerns SMEs have in recruiting apprentices. This pilot is based on providing, in very practical terms, core engineering skills with the emphasis on developing not only competencies but employability.”
Stephen Lilley of the National Apprenticeship Service added: “We are delighted to support this initiative that has the potential to increase apprenticeship opportunities with SMEs.”
Any companies who would like to find out more about the Apprenticeship Extension Programme should contact (Rita Davey via
) whilst young people interesting in becoming an apprentice next September should register interest at (www.jaguarlandrovercareers.com) or apply through the NAS website at www.apprenticeships.org.uk.
- Ends -
Semta is the employer-led skills council for Science, Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies in the UK. The sectors it represents are: Aerospace, Automotive, Bioscience, Electrical, Electronics, Maintenance, Marine, Mathematics, Mechanical, Metals and Engineered Metal Products and Science. Its role is to raise skills levels and competitiveness in the 76,000 companies and 2 million-strong workforce that make up these sectors. Its National Skills Academy for Manufacturing delivers an independent national standard for manufacturing training content, delivery and process by focusing on business return which is typically 6:1.
www.semta.org.uk
www.nsa-m.co.uk
Jaguar Land Rover
Jaguar Land Rover is a business built around two great British car brands that design, engineer and manufacture in the UK. Jaguar Cars Limited, founded in 1922, is one of the world’s premier manufacturers of luxury saloons and sports cars. Since 1948 Land Rover has been manufacturing authentic 4x4s that define 'breadth of capability' in their segments. The Jaguar XF, XJ and XK models are manufactured at the company's Castle Bromwich plant in Birmingham. Land Rover's Defender, Discovery 4, Range Rover Sport and Range Rover models are all built at the Solihull plant. The Land Rover Freelander 2 is built at the Halewood plant in Liverpool. The Jaguar Land Rover business employs over 14,500 people, predominately in the UK, including some 3,500 engineers at two product development centres in Whitley, Coventry and Gaydon, Warwickshire. The business is a major wealth generator for the UK with 78 percent of Land Rovers exported to over 160 countries and 70 percent of Jaguars exported to over 60 countries, with sales to customers conducted principally through franchised dealers and importers.
Media contact:
Martin Farrow
CHANGEWORKS Communications
T. 01785 247588/ 07771970025
E.
Tags: Jaguar Land Rover, Semta, the National Skills Academy for Manufacturing, Warwickshire College
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