PRO INSTALLER JANUARY 2017
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Apprenticeship crossroads
A warning from MPs that the government ’ s apprenticeships programme must raise skill levels is timely , the Federation of Master Builders ( FMB ) has said in response to a new report .
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PRO RECRUITMENT
Sarah McMonagle , director of external affairs at the FMB , said : “ The government is at a crossroads in its apprenticeship programme and ministers must now choose to either honour their pledge to increase the quality of apprenticeship training , or allow themselves to be consumed by the need to hit targets . “ The Public Accounts Committee emphasises strongly the need for the government to be unrelenting in its focus on quality apprenticeships and this is absolutely key . While the temptation may exist to water down apprenticeship standards in order to hit the three million target , this would smack of short termism and ultimately be counterproductive . “ Unless we act now to increase quality , people will continue to look down their noses at vocational training when it should be viewed with the same respect as other forms of further education such as university degrees . This is the only way to increase numbers and reach our apprenticeship targets we need in the longer term .” She concluded : “ In construction , it ’ s particularly important that the government holds firm in the face of pressure from some larger contractors and house builders to introduce shorter and cheaper apprenticeship standards . The new Trailblazer apprenticeships were conceived as a way of empowering employers by allowing them to develop qualifications that genuinely fulfil their needs . “ Given that construction SMEs account for 85 % of employment in our sector , and train two thirds of all apprentices , their input and concerns should be central to the government ’ s skills policy . We urge Ministers to take on board the committee ’ s recommendations .”
www . fmb . org . uk
SCHEME KICK-STARTS GRADUATE CAREERS
IronmongeryDirect , the online and mail order supplier of ironmongery products , is on the hunt for budding young graduates to join its Graduate Management Scheme , as expansion across the business continues .
As part of the bespoke programme , graduates will spend time working across all departments within the company , helping to develop their leadership skills and business expertise in product management , operations , sales , marketing , ecommerce , IT , and finance and HR . Designed to shape future leaders within the business , the yearand-a-half long placement will provide talented young people with personalised leadership and technical training , giving them the skills needed to kick-start their careers straight after leaving university . During training , new recruits will be teamed up with a mentor , a line manager and a buddy who will all help guide , support and challenge them throughout the programme . After completing the course , graduates will also be in with a greater chance of securing a permanent leadership role within the firm . To support the search for talented individuals , IronmongeryDirect has also created a dedicated careers website , making it easier for candidates to see the roles available and then submit their applications .
Dimitra Koutsochera , who completed the course and is now a supply chain and inventory planning manager at the company , said : “ I learnt a great deal – not just when it came to improving my skills and business knowledge , but also in terms of my personal development and people management skills . I was able to gain a better understanding of my own talents and interests , which helped me to follow a career path that was personal and right for me .”
Visit http :// www . IronmongeryDirect . co . uk /