Electrical Contracting News (ECN) August 2017 | Page 22

TRAINING
APPRENTICESHIP EARNINGS
COULD OUTSTRIP GRADUATES
TRAINING TO TRANSFORM BUILDING CONTROLS INDUSTRY
A Gloucestershire company has claimed
that apprentices can earn up to 270
per cent more over their careers than
university grads.
Based on a report last year and
their own findings, The Apprentice
Management Group (AMG) says that the
average gap in lifetime earnings potential
between apprentices and graduates was
just 1.8 per cent, with the average lifetime
earning premium (LEP) difference for the two study paths at just £2,200.
‘There are common misconceptions about apprenticeships, including that they are only relevant
for those looking for careers in vocational or manual industries, now we are engaging apprentices in
accountancy, IT, marketing and management courses,’ said AMG director, John Henry.
‘Apprenticeships are also open to more than school leavers and people need to know this. The
apprenticeship reforms including the levy, which came into force in April, has opened so many doors
for companies of all sizes as well as for potential employees to train new staff and upskill colleagues
across all disciplines,’ added John.
The Apprenticeship Management Group was formed this year to lobby on behalf of companies and
help them adjust to life during and after the levy has come in to effect.
For further information visit: www.theapprenticeshipgroup.co.uk
TRIPLE TOM SUCCESS AT
SKILLELECTRIC WALES
Thomas Seward, 18, has been named
best young electrician in Wales, following
the regional SkillElectric competition
held at Coleg Menai.
Thomas, an apprentice at Coleg
Gwent, went up against eight other
competitors in a task to install conduit
and trunking with three electrical circuits.
Their work had to be completed within
the time limit, safely and to recognised
industry standards, with a very small
tolerance for errors.
Second place was awarded to Thomas
Lewis of Cardiff and Vale College, while
Thomas Williamson of Coleg Cambria
took third place.
SkillElectric is organised by National
Electrotechnical Training (NET) and has
the Electrotechnical Certification Scheme
(ECS) as its lead sponsor. The highest
scoring competitors from the event now
have the chance to compete to be named
SkillElectric UK champion at the UK
grand final in November.
Jon Dicken, technical development
manager at NET, said, ‘It was fantastic
to witness so many dedicated young
electricians in action from across
Wales – congratulations to all who took
part. We’re also very grateful to Coleg
Menai for their hospitality and providing
excellent facilities for the event.’
Competitors from the 2017 SkillElectric
event could also potentially go forward and
represent the UK in Russia during 2019 at
the biennial WorldSkills event.
For further information visit:
www.netservices.org.uk/skillelectric/
22 | August 2017
For further information visit:
www.bcia.co.uk
ELECTRICAL APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR WINNER ANNOUNCED
George Maynard from Leicester has been crowned the 2017 NICEIC and ELECSA
Apprentice of the Year. The 25-year-old was one of eight competitors to reach
the Grand Final, which took part at the headquarters of competition sponsor
Scolmore Group in Tamworth on 6th June.
George said, ‘I was shocked when they called my name out. I thought all the
lads in the final produced some great work and they were all top guys. I think
getting to the final was a great achievement to be honest. It’s a lovely way to
round off all the hard work I have put in over the last three years.’
The finalists were put through a gruelling day of challenges designed to assess
their ability across a range of disciplines. This year’s final also included a Virtual Reality
task followed by an intervie