I read with interest your article ‘Train to Gain’ in the November issue. Having been given the chance of an apprenticeship myself, I could well see the value and opportunity for youngsters striving to carve out a career for themselves.

Since 1978 our company has taken on one apprentice each year and has enthusiastically promoted the benefits of the New Apprenticeship Scheme.

In fact, we were proud to win the Small Businesses New Apprenticeship Scheme Award.

That was, until the Local Learning and Skills Council [LLSC] forgot that, in order to afford the training of apprentices, small businesses need to integrate the apprentices’ learning with the daily running of their business contracts.

I was amazed to find that, without prior notification to our company, three of our apprentices were told to attend an interview during the same week.

This was not a college day, but a work day, when their services were being relied on.

One lad had to travel from Greater Baddow to Havering for a 1pm appointment (he arrived back on the job when it was almost time to go home).

Another had to ask his father to collect him from his place of work and take him back afterwards, due to the fact that the site was a difficult one to reach.

A third lad actually took the entire day off work, as his appointment was in the middle of the day.

Each interview lasted approximately 15 minutes, and the apprentices were asked such questions as whether they were enjoying college.

This episode has resulted in the unforeseen expense of paying professional electricians to carry out the work that these apprentices were unable to do due to the mindlessness of a few people who, as I see it, had nothing better to do.

I have yet to be told that anything worthwhile was discussed at the interview.

If the LLSC had a realistic approach to the apprenticeship scheme, surely they would be doing all they could to assist companies in making the scheme work?

Our firm is now seriously considering opting out of the scheme, because we do not feel we have the true backing that we deserve.

  • John Briggs wins this month’s drinks voucher.

Source

Electrical and Mechanical Contractor

Postscript

John Briggs, Managing director Nomico Electrical Co Essex