5 minute read
LIFT OFF for Apprenticeship!
ITS GO, GO, GO FOR THE BiKBBI APPRENTICESHIP SCHEME
The BiKBBI has confirmed that it’s full steam ahead for the opening of its Centre of Excellence at the multimillion-pound PROCAT facility in the South East.
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The new Centre, which is located within Prospects College of Advanced Technology (PROCAT) in Basildon, will deliver several training opportunities, starting with a Level 2 Apprenticeship in Fitted Interiors for school leavers interested in a career in kitchen, bedroom & bathroom installation. The first two-year apprenticeship will commence in September 2018.
Speaking at the March Education Committee meeting, CEO Damian Walters said, “The initiative is entering an exciting and critical phase so it’s vital for the industry to support it to create employment for up to 30 apprentices, or risk missing out on an exciting opportunity for the industry.”
The BiKBBI’s Education Committee comprises a wide section of the industry, including delegates from independent and national retailers, installers and key industry organisations. The 32-member committee, pledged its support for the apprenticeships and has been working collaboratively for 18 months on the initiative.
Debbie McArthur, PROCAT’s curriculum developer who led the March committee meeting, confirmed that the apprenticeship would cover several topics for students and would not be limited to just the physical installation of KBB product.
“The opportunities for new talent to earn big in the home improvement sector is enormous. Now is the time to consider how we advise our kids on career options. Whilst a university pathway is ok for many it’s not the only option. For example, the former means that you begin working life with big financial debts, whereas in comparison as an apprentice you’ll earn money from the very beginning and with a real prospect of fairly rapid prosperity.”
Debbie commented: “The industry has asked us to ensure that students leave their apprenticeship with a wide vision of their industry and so it should include business management and customer service. We’re confident that the apprenticeship module will deliver this and more and so we all we need is to garner the support of installation businesses to employ these bright young things .”
Debbie added, “The existing Level 2 Apprenticeship Standard is a great platform from which we can deliver. Although the committee would like to see future development of the standard, it’s clear it was created with passion and by an industry that needs this to work.”
Damian added: “The Apprenticeship Standard, which replaced the old style ‘framework’ is up for review in 2020. We’ll definitely look to develop it with the support from the industry, not because the current version is lacking in anything, but because we’re working within a fast-evolving environment and it’s important we embrace any change and grow organically.”
PROCAT is working with OAL (Occupational Awards Limited) and will deliver the qualification, which is split into two parts:
Level 2 understanding of the Fitted Furniture Industry; and Level 2 NVQ in Fitted Furniture Installation The qualification will consist of Core and Pathway requirements, through mandatory and optional units. These units will also include provision for maths and English learning where required.
The delivery of the apprenticeship will be based on a day release to college scheme, with 20% of the education taking place ‘off-the-job’, which could include “online, practical and industry learning as well as time in the college” according to Debbie.
Employers taking on an apprentice between the ages of 16-18, and have less than 49 employees, will be eligible for a fully funded apprenticeship. Those outside this criterion would contribute a mandatory 10% (or around £900). Employers would be responsible for employing apprentices, with a minimum salary of £3.50 per hour, to include the off-the-job training.
Positively, all employers who take on an apprentice aged 16-18 would also receive an incentive payment of £1,000, usually paid in two instalments – one three months into the apprenticeship and one at the end of year one. Mirroring Theresa May’s comments in March, BiKBBI CEO said: “If we’re to truly address this nations skills gap, then we must invest in the next generation of installers. We can no longer afford to view vocational
learning as ‘ok for other people’s kids’ and to instead view apprenticeships as something we can be collectively proud of.”
Referring to industry entrepreneur Charlie Mullins, of Pimlico Plumbers who has recently advertised a job on their website for an electrician, salary up to £100,000 per annum, Damian added: “The opportunities for new talent to earn big in the home improvement sector is enormous. Now is the time to consider how we advise our kids on career options. Whilst a university pathway is ok for many it’s
not the only option. For example, the former means that you begin working life with big financial debts, whereas in comparison as an apprentice you’ll earn money from the very beginning and with a real prospect of fairly rapid prosperity.”
The bigger picture:
BiKBBI also revealed its rollout plans for a nationally available apprenticeship. Damian said: “Clearly our aim is to promote apprenticeships that are available across the UK. The plan is to learn from our work with PROCAT and to then work with training providers and colleges nationally to develop and work with them.
“We’ll create a national network of BiKBBI endorsed training partners and we’ll promote their learning to our audience. With over 5,500 members nationally, we’re ideally placed to promote apprenticeships to SME’s and from work to date, can see an appetite for future employers already.”
www.bikbbi.org.uk/apprenticeships/
A call to action:
BiKBBI and PROCAT will be hosting an employer event on the 23rd May 2018 at their Basildon Campus. The purpose of the event is to invite interested employers to find out more about the college and the apprenticeship. BiKBBI welcome interest in this event via their website:
