Actively Supporting Apprentices
According to research carried out on behalf of the education foundation, Edge, a prejudice towards vocational qualifications is mounting, with 35% of parents believing that vocational learning is for people who don't do well at school. Ian Nicol, managing director of Aberdeen-based Active, explains why vocational training in the form of apprenticeships offers an attractive route to employment which is beneficial to both trainees and employers.
Specilalists in all areas of both traditional and sustainable energy systems for heating and cooling the home and office, Active employs 62 people 10 of whom are apprentices undertaking a four year course in refrigeration and air-conditioning with Tullos Training.
Ian said: "There are huge benefits to begining your career as an apprentice, enjoying on the job training while basically being paid to study for a nationally recognised qualification has some obvious advantages over the increasingly popular university route."
66% of young people surveyed by Edge said that they we encouraged to go to university while only 26% were advised to take up vocational courses. While university can be an appropriate route for many young people, 1/5 of all students will fail to complete their course and a significant number of graduates will struggle to cope with large sums of student debt they are likely to accrue.
Ian continued: "Taking on apprentices is a great way for Active to bridge the skills gap and we are keen to encourage more young people, particularly girls who are hugely underrepresented in the construction industry, to consider apprenticeships. It can be a real struggle to find suitably qualified staff familiar with the types of sustainable energy technology which we work with. By employing young people as apprentices we can influence their training to ensure they are best qualified for our needs."
According to a recent salary survey conducted by recruitment specialists Source People Ltd, graduates leaving university in search of an accountancy position can expect to earn approximately £15,000 - £20,000, whereas an apprentice having completed a four year vocational course can expect to earn approximately £30,000. With the wages of senior engineers matching those of a middle management accountant there is a strong financial incentive to choosing the vocational route.
Lewis Binnie, apprentice engineer with Active and winner of Apprentice of the Year in his class at Tullos Training, said: "Being an apprentice is a great way to develop a career, once I'm fully qualified I will already have been working within a company for 4 years when many people my age will be just beginning to look for a job.
"Active is one of the few companies in the area working with cutting edge sustainable energy technology and is able to offer me training on the most up-to-date equipment and services. By joining the company as an apprentice I have first had experience with the equipment which would not otherwise be available to students."
By supporting and investing in vocational training courses Active is able to play its part assisting the industry in a time of increasing skills shortages as well as retaining a highly motivated and dedicated workforce. Active continue to support the development of young people and are to sponsor the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration category at the awards next year.
