Keighley College is playing a pivotal role in highlighting engineering apprenticeships in the region to address the skills gap and lack of awareness of the industry, particularly among females.
The college, which is currently raising awareness of the benefits of apprenticeships through the 100 in 100 campaign, has placed 69 apprentices in the engineering sector to date, with five being girls.
Partnerships with engineering companies such as Produmax and Yorkshire Precision Engineering Ltd, have created opportunities for learners pursuing apprenticeships in the industry to better understand the different areas of engineering and how diverse the sector is.
Clare Fitzgerald, head of apprenticeships at Keighley College, said: “Training and development opportunities for young people across the UK are more critical than ever.
“Part of our apprenticeship objectives and strategy is continually addressing sector-specific skills shortages and knowledge gaps and how we can play a key role in supporting businesses with finding the right apprentice and placing them with the right employer.”
The pandemic has made the job market more challenging than ever before for young people, with research by Resolution Foundation forecasting that UK youth unemployment figures could surpass 17%. The 100 in 100 campaign was launched last November to address this and help young people gain employment and gain the necessary skills needed to meet market demand long-term.
Clare said the college has built strong links with employers in the engineering industry in recent years, working to promote it as a viable pathway for career success.
“Historically, engineering has had minimum curriculum presence. There is also limited awareness and understanding of it among young people and their ‘influencers’.”
Technical education reforms have centred on better preparing students for the world of work, especially in areas where there are skills shortages, such as science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM). There is recognition across the sector of the need to drive up quality and bring about greater coordination of STEM.
The government recently committed to addressing the skills shortage, mainly with the introduction of educational programmes such as T levels.
Engineering employers are also recognising their role through running or funding their own STEM engagement programmes, offering invaluable work experience placements or taking on apprentices. One such company is Produmax.
The specialist manufacturing company, which has expertise in high precision engineering, started its apprenticeship programme in 2012.
The Shipley-based firm, who works in partnership with some of the most prestigious aerospace manufacturers to produce high quality machined components and assemblies, has been working with Keighley College for almost four years.
Paul Birtles, operations manager at Produmax, said the company initially started its apprenticeship programme as a result of an ‘ageing workforce’, where the average age was 47.
“We now have a young dynamic ambitious workforce that is helping to drive the company forward to achieve new goals,” said Paul.
Paul, who said the company has had to strategically replan the next five years as a result of the pandemic, said apprentices have a different mindset and bring innovative solutions and ideas, adding that the long-term benefits of taking one on are significant.
“We aim to come out of the pandemic stronger and leaner than when we went into it and also intend to have plenty of new apprentices coming through the business during this time as part of the plan.”
Paul Birtles
Last May, engineering apprentices from the college helped companies produce more than 60,000 ventilator parts for the NHS in the face of increased demand.
The company, which has taken on more than a dozen apprentices who have been trained by the college, recently took on Alex Johnson, who is currently doing an apprenticeship in quality engineering.
Prior to starting an apprenticeship with Produmax, Alex was a full-time student at Ilkley Grammar School, studying A levels.
She said: “I was unsure of what I wanted to do after high school, so I applied for the work experience programme at Produmax to get a taste of aerospace engineering.
“After a very successful week, I carried on with my work experience, taking on a work placement day every other week in the quality department.”
Alex said that having the ability to do that boosted her confidence, whilst giving her the opportunity to learn some basic skills in a working environment.
She said: “The idea of working and learning had always been something I felt passionate about. The support that’s available is second to none and the opportunities at Produmax are endless.
“Produmax has made my apprenticeship programme unique, allowing me to train on computerised maintenance management systems (CMMs) and gain vocational qualifications that are quality specific.
“I also wouldn’t be enjoying my apprenticeship as much if it wasn’t for the support from the team at Keighley College – the courses that they have available give learners some vital work- based skills, especially in CNC machining and engineering theory.”
Alex is hoping to train as a non-destructive engineer in the future, saying that she finds the idea of structural damage and how to detect faults fascinating.
The government has already shown its commitment to improving skills through initiatives such as the Kickstart scheme. It has also put in place support for businesses to help young people gain employment.
Employers who hire new apprentices before 31 March 2021, will receive up to £3,000 for apprentices aged 16 to 24, and £1,500 for those aged 25 and over.
To find out more about the apprenticeship campaign and how to hire apprentices for your engineering or manufacturing business, contact Clare, clare.fitzgerald@keighleycollege.ac.uk
