CCATF TAKES 'PATHWAY TO CONSTRUCTION' TO NORTHERN IRELAND
Beatrice Orchard - CCATF Co-ordinator
At the end of July, CCATF Chairman, Geoff Lister, travelled to Belfast to talk to employers about the possibility of launching the Pathway to Construction initiative in Northern Ireland. Here is his report:
Helping to demonstrate the success of pre-apprenticeship programmes continues to be a priority for the CCATF, which means we were delighted with the news that CITB-ConstructionSkills Northern Ireland has agreed to provide funding for Pathway to Construction.
Pathway to Construction is a preapprenticeship work experience programme, which helps young people to gain valuable work experience likely to open up doors to future employment opportunities. Businesses also benefit from the chance to test someone’s suitability for an apprenticeship before making a commitment to them.
A Pathway to Construction pilot was launched in Plymouth
FUNDING FOR EMPLOYEES
CITB-ConstructionSkills Northern Ireland hosted the meeting for FMB members, and I explained that employers could be entitled to funding if they agreed to offer a work experience placement to a first year, full time college student. Employers will be entitled to £100 per week for up to ten weeks, and they should be prepared to offer the work experience placement for three weeks over the Easter period and for up to seven more weeks over the summer. There will be a further meeting later this month where FE colleges will be invited to consider their participation in the scheme.
CCATF Chairman Geoff Lister, Northern Ireland Director, Maire Nawaz and David Cooper of CITB-ConstructionSkills NI
SUCCESSFUL PATHWAYS
Master Builder readers will know that the CCATF has already successfully helped launch a Pathway to Construction pilot in Plymouth. In addition, a number of students from Milton Keynes College have been participating in Pathway to Construction work experience placements during the summer months, thanks to funding from NHBC.
FROM WORK EXPERIENCE TO APPRENTICESHIP
September is traditionally the start of the new college term. Therefore, it is often a time when employers take on apprentices who will do most of their learning on the job, but with a bit of time out to study at college or with a local training provider.
Apprentices bring energy and enthusiasm and provide higher overall productivity. Taking on an apprentice helps demonstrate the quality of your company’s work, which comes from having a competent and qualified workforce.
