Pro Installer June 2015 - Issue 27 | Page 61

61 PRO INSTALLER JUNE 2015 PRO RECRUITMENT @proinstaller1 Giving young people a chance Pro Installer invited Andy Kerr of North East Conservatory Solutions to talk about apprenticeships, what the company is doing towards training and development young people in its business, and more importantly, what young apprentices are doing for them. Andy Commented: “In 2014 under 25’s in particular were still struggling to get a decent job. We have always had a positive policy regarding employing younger people and making sure we support them with ongoing training. “With the support of government incentives and incorporating NVQ’s (National Vocational Qualifications) in our business, we have been able to significantly increase our staff numbers and our production output over the last 12 months.” North East Conservatory Solutions works in partnership with the North East Chamber of Commerce, who provided them with the facility to search for young people interested in applying for apprenticeships. Andy continues: “I’ve always believed in investing in my staff, whether through apprenticeships or ongoing training and it has proved too been a good decision. I can definitely recommend NVQ schemes for all areas of a business.” North East Conservatory solutions takes on two to three apprentices a year and track their personal development, providing support and reviews, news skills and giving the young workers tasks that can be assessed every month. “By hiring apprentices, young people get goals and targets set, giving them something to work towards as well as a sense of meaning and belonging in an organisation.” Andy adds. As well as training a young workforce, investing time and resources towards apprentices can be highly beneficial to companies. Andy says: “Apprentices bring exuberance and a fresh, clear thinking. They have no preconceptions about how the double glazing industry used to be. “The biggest benefit of gettin