The FMB believes firmly in supporting businesses that invest in the future workforce by taking on and training apprentices. Apprenticeships combine practical training with college learning so a good balance of technical skills and workplace experience is achieved. This has benefits for you, the employer, as well as the apprentice. Apprenticeships also help to ensure a successful and prosperous future for the construction industry and provide valuable employment opportunities for young people.
The FMB helps to highlight the importance of apprenticeship training via the Apprentice of the Year Award. This award is given to an apprentice demonstrating high levels of practical skill in their chosen trade. The winning apprentice receives £1,000 and their employer receives £250 and is also be presented with a prize from the CCATF. The next Apprentice of the Year Award winner will be announced on 20 March 2013 at the FMB's Master Builder of the Year national awards ceremony.
In 2007, the FMB helped to launch the Cross-Industry Construction Apprenticeship Task Force (CCATF), which aims to increase employer engagement in apprenticeship training by championing the ethos and culture of training throughout the construction industry.
Every year we get involved in National Apprenticeship Week to help raise the profile of apprenticeships and ensure high quality apprenticeships continue to be used and valued by young people and UK businesses.
Help and financial support is available to business that employ an apprentice through a variety of schemes and your local CITB-ConstructionSkills office can offer advice on this. For further information on hiring an apprentice, advertising and vacancies, training or grants, contact Construction skills on Tel: 0344 994 4044 or alternatively visit their website at http://www.cskills.org/apprenticeships/.
Furthermore, the Government has announced details about how to claim a £1,500 wage incentive for taking on an apprentice of 16 to 24 years old (AGE 16 to 24). Read more at http://www.apprenticeships.org.uk/Employers/Steps-to-make-it-happen/Incentive.aspx.
Useful links
National Apprenticeship Service
The National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) works on behalf of the Government to support, fund and co-ordinate the delivery of apprenticeships throughout England.
CITB-ConstructionSkills Apprenticeships
The CITB-ConstructionSkills apprenticeship team can provide information about advertising and vacancies, apprenticeship training and grants. You can contact them by telephone on 0344 994 4044. You might also like to contact your local FE college or training provider for further information on hiring an apprentice in your area.
CITB-ConstructionSkills YouTube channel
Watch FMB members and their apprentices at work and find out more about the benefits of working with apprentices.
bconstructive
Information and advice about careers in construction.
Higher Apprenticeship in Construction Operations Management
Middlesex University are leading a national consortium providing the CITB-Construction Skills approved Higher Apprenticeship in Construction Operations Management. The Higher Apprenticeship is specifically designed for people who are either progressing from Advanced Apprenticeships in craft areas or those with significant work in the industry who wish to become construction managers. The Higher Apprenticeship also provides the opportunity to gain a university qualification (a work-based Foundation degree) and attracts CITB-ConstructionSkills Grant Scheme funding.
