Clearview South Feb 2013 - Issue 135 | Page 48

INDUSTRYNEWS Traineeship programme aims to boost youth skills The Government has announced the launch of a programme aimed at providing young people with the skills needed to get jobs and apprenticeships. “Traineeships”, set to be introduced later this year, will be aimed at improving the work-readiness of young people (those aged between 16 and 24) by offering “work-preparation training”, including CV writing and interview training, as well as work experience and English and maths courses for candidates who have not achieved a GCSE C grade or higher in those subjects. The six-month courses are aimed at addressing long-standing complaints from employers that many young job seekers lack the basic skills and experience necessary for employment, as well as reducing the number of young people currently not in education, employment or training (NEETs). According to the Government, a 2012 education and skills survey published by the CBI found that 61% of employers were unsatisfied with the self-management skills of school leavers. Employers were also not satisfied with their literacy and numeracy skills - 35% and 30% respectively. Skills minister Matthew Hancock said: “We want to support everyone in our country to reach their personal best. To do that, we are introducing Traineeships to help young people with the skills they need to get, and hold down, a job. Traineeships will give young people the helping hand and experience they need to compete for apprenticeships and good jobs.” The Government has invited employers to comment on the proposals via a discussion paper. FOOTBALL SPONSORSHIP DEAL SIGNED Stoke based REHAU fabricator UK Window Systems has just announced a major sponsorship deal with Port Vale FC, currently flying high in NPower League Division Two. Under the terms of the deal, the UK Window Systems logo will appear on the team’s home shirts and there will be advertisements for the Company in match day programmes, on the rotating pitch side hoardings and on the club’s website. UK Window Systems will also have a hospitality box at the club’s Vale Park ground, which they will be using to entertain customers and colleagues. Director and lifelong supporter, Richard Barlow says: “Our logo will be on 3-4,000 club shirts which will be sold to supporters in this area and it will be clearly visible every week to the 5,000 crowd who typically attend every home game. Some of our key target customers are the trade buyers in and around Stoke and this represents a great opportunity to reach them in a really positive way.” UK Window Systems is based in Cobridge, Stoke on Trent, fabricating around 450 REHAU frames per week, and also has a trade counter on Britannia Business Park in Stoke known as the Plastic Depot. www.ukwindowsltd.co.uk ORIGIN LAUNCHES FIRST TV AD CAMPAIGN Origin, one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of aluminium bifolding doors, began the new year with the launch of its first ever TV advertising campaign to promote its bespoke doors. The new advert, which features a custom made kitchen from Ekco Kitchens, depicts a day in the life of a family with Origin doors, highlighting the different ways the doors can enhance a home and lifestyle during an average day. The creative focuses on life with the finished product rather than features or price, in a move away from the style of advertising more commonly seen in the doors and windows industry. The strapline “More ways to love your home with Origin doors” is designed to resonate with an audience on a more emotive level than commonly seen from brands in the sector. Neil Ginger, CEO Origin said: “We are excited about this step change in our marketing approach. After more than 10 successful years in the bifolding door industry we know just how much people love their homes. This TV campaign illustrates how bifolding doors can enhance any property, giving people more ways to love and enjoy their home. TV is a new route for us which we hope will capture people’s imaginations and raise our brand awareness with homeowners.” The TV ad will be supported by advertising and competitions across print and online home media. 48 FEB 2013 To read more, visit www.clearview-uk.com