PRO INSTALLER JULY 2016
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PRO NEWS
STEVE SMASHES IT IN LEGO ® COMPETITION
An installation manager scooped a luxury prize of a weekend away in a Hilton hotel after he won a competition at this year ’ s FIT show .
BREXIT BRITAIN MUST BOOST SKILLS
Britain ’ s young apprentices have called on the government to put skills and qualifications at the very top of the agenda in Brexit Britain – and created a ‘ five-point plan ’ to help them do that .
The Industry Apprentice Council ( IAC ) report to be handed to Nadhim Zahawi MP , David Cameron ’ s adviser on apprentices and joint Chairman of the Apprenticeship Delivery Board , delivered a damning verdict on careers advice . It also called for professional qualification as standard to ensure apprenticeships get the recognition they deserve and quality is maintained . The results of the Industry Apprentice Council ’ s biggest ever survey shows an alarming lack of information regarding the opportunities that apprenticeships offer . Al Parkes , Chief Operating Officer of the Semta Group which founded and funds the IAC said : “ Home grown skills have never been more important to this country – especially in a post Brexit Britain . “ Our young apprentices have spoken – and should be heard . They are the very people who can speak with authority and conviction having experienced the process at first hand .
“ The new government must put skills at the very top of its agenda if the country is to thrive outside the EU .” The Industry Apprentice Council , recognised as the voice of apprentices , founded by awarding organisation EAL part of the Semta Group , launched the Five Point Plan and the survey results , at the IET , Savoy Place , London . The document to be handed to Mr . Nadhim Zahawi MP says careers advice is still in crisis and has dropped back to 2014 satisfaction levels
• 50 per cent of respondents found out about their apprenticeship through their own initiative – just 15 per cent found out from a teacher or careers adviser
• Only 24 per cent were actively encouraged to take up an apprenticeship by educators
• 84 per cent had not heard of the planned apprenticeship levy
• 70 per cent are unaware of the government ’ s 3m apprentice target
• 75 per cent want a professional accreditation as standard
The five-point plan to boost apprenticeships formulated by apprentices themselves , will seek to : ensure the quality of apprenticeships is protected through qualifications as the quantity increases ; ask employers to make apprentices more aware of career options ; reform careers advice ; ensure employers offer progression routes to apprentices capable of pursuing them , and set up an NUSstyle body to represent apprentices ’ interests . Endorsing the report Semta Group CEO , Ann Watson , said : “ Without apprentices , employers across the advanced manufacturing and engineering ( AME ) sector Semta represents , simply would not be able to meet their skills needs . “ With the economy needing 182,000 people with engineering skills every year to 2022 , apprenticeships offer a tried and tested way for employers to equip new recruits with the right skills . “ That ’ s why 26 % of AME employees have gone through an apprenticeship , compared with just 10 % for the whole economy .”
www . semta . org . uk
Full service marketing agency Purplex asked attendees to guess how many Lego ® bricks were used to make a bespoke BuildOn window cross section . Over 1,000 guesses were entered , drawing in crowds of installers and fabricators . Coming out top was Steve Gane , installation manager of Team Frames Trade and Retail which specialises in the installation of double glazing products such as bifold doors and roof lanterns . Steve ’ s guess of 2,955 missed by only three bricks – the correct number was 2,958 . To celebrate Steve ’ s success , Purplex recently visited Team Frames Trade HQ in Surrey , presenting him with a prestigious winner ’ s certificate and luxury prize of a weekend away in a Hilton hotel for both him and a loved one . Steve said : “ I studied the window and made a calculated guess , but never expected to get so close . I was delighted when Purplex contacted me to say I ’ d won – I ’ m really looking forward to the weekend away .” Purplex , based just outside Bristol , launched its BuildOn . Different campaign in February of this year in the hope of highlighting how important it is for companies to stand out from their competition , building upon their current successes to remain innovative and flexible in such a modern , fastpaced market .
For more information call Purplex on 01934 808132 or visit www . purplexmarketing . com