by Clair Mooney | 28 Jan, 2022 | Main News Feed, Skills
T-Levels are a new approach to sector engagement, designed to develop and secure advanced technical skills aligned to industry standards, and to address the increasing skills shortages and labour costs in industries such as construction, as well as the many benefits (for all parties) of placing committed and motivated students into workplaces, through industrial placements. Often technical students can make a genuine and lasting contribution and present a valuable new recruitment channel to any business.
FIS has been offered the opportunity to host an employer support package presentation, providing information on the benefits of T-Level’s and the support available for employers. There will also be opportunity to ask any questions you have. If you are interested in attending, please email georgeswann@thefis.org by Friday 11 February 2022.
About T-Levels
T-Levels are new courses which follow GCSEs and are deemed to be equivalent to three A levels. These two year courses, which launched September 2020, are for 16 to 19 year olds and have been developed in collaboration with employers and businesses so that the content meets the needs of industry and prepares students for work, further training or study.
T-Levels offer students a mixture of 80% classroom learning and 20% ‘on-the-job’ experience during an industry placement of at least 45 days. The placement can take place as a block, day release or a mix of these, and employers receive an incentive payment of £1000 per student. The scheme is designed for employer to:
- Grow the talent pipeline
- Attract a new generation of recruits from new sources
- Tackle skill shortages
- A chance to see potential future recruits using their skills and abilities
- Streamline recruitment processes
For details of the support available for employers please see T Levels and industry placement support for employers
There are currently two Construction T-Levels:
Design, surveying and planning for construction (available now) the course offers a core knowledge of how the construction industry works, the principles of design and the role of technology and sustainability. Students then have the chance to specialise in either Building services design, Civil engineering, Hazardous materials analysis or surveying.
Onsite construction (started September 2021) learners have the option to cover at least one trade from a choice of bricklaying, carpentry and joinery, painting and decorating or plastering. FIS are seeking support to develop an occupational specialism in interior systems installation.
There are a number of progression options open to students. These include skilled employment, an apprenticeship and higher education. UCAS points are attached to the overall T-Level achievement grade. If you would like to offer an Industrial Placement for T-Level students, you can register at Employers Next Steps or call 08000 150 600 (choose option 4).
There is a CSCS Card for Industry Placement: https://www.cscs.uk.com/card-type/industry-placement-card/ specially for T-Level and Traineeship students.
by Clair Mooney | 27 Jan, 2022 | Drylining, Skills
Leeds College of Building Interior Systems Installer Apprenticeship Programme 2022
Enrolment is now open for the Dry Lining option of the Interior Systems Installer Apprenticeship, for full details please see: Interior Systems Installer | Drylining Apprenticeship Training Course | Level 2 NVQ (lcb.ac.uk). Under the current Apprenticeship funding system, the employment of a 16-18 year old apprentice is fully funded by the government where an employer has less than 50 employees. If 50+ employees, the employer will only pay 5% of the course cost resulting in a nominal fee of £700 split across two years.
CITB registered organisations will be eligible to claim the apprentice attendance grant of £2500 per year and apprentice achievement grant at £3500. The government also offer a £1000 incentive payment to all employers who recruit a 16-18 year old apprentice.
In summary the apprenticeship training is a 24 month programme delivered on block release in 11 x 1 week blocks. This provides an opportunity for organisations anywhere in England to send their apprentices. Block release tends to make the individual capable for more tasks when they return to site. The college will assist in securing accommodation for students and for organisations that are CITB registered, grants are available for apprentice travel and subsistence covering up to 80% of the costs, please see: Apprenticeship travel and accommodation funding ‘Travel to Train’ – CITB
If you are considering taking on an apprentice and would like to find out more about the Level 2 Interior Systems Installer Apprenticeship please get in touch with the Apprenticeship Team at Leeds College of Building. They will be able to advise you on the course content, offer advice for apprenticeship levy and non-levy payers and provide details on the end point assessment (EPA). They can assist employers with the process by providing informative emails, videos and telephone assistance, Call: 0113 222 6041 or Email: wbl@lcb.ac.uk
From 1 April 2021 all employers are required to use the government apprenticeship service to secure funding for any apprentices they wish to employ. Apprentices will be unable to start their course at college without reserving funding.
FIS will be happy to provide information advice and guidance on recruiting apprentices take a look at the FIS Apprentice – Guidance for Employers, downloadable from the FIS web site at: https://www.thefis.org/skills-hub/apprenticeships-and-qualifications/apprenticeships-employers/. Alternatively call George Swann on 07553 874838 or email georgeswann@thefis.org
by Clair Mooney | 21 Jan, 2022 | Main News Feed, Skills
The National Construction College in Bircham Newton (Norfolk) have scheduled two courses to train apprentices in Drylining Fixer Boarder and Interior Systems Installer. These are block release courses and are scheduled to start on the following dates:
- Monday 12 September 2022
- Monday 28 November 2022
For full details please contact Andrew Voase, andrew.voase@citb.co.uk 07798 628902 or Trudie Blackshaw, trudie.blackshaw@citb.co.uk telephone 07770 841816.
If an employer or group of employers have at least 12 apprentices, that they would like trained at NCC East prior to the scheduled courses above, NCC have offered to provide a further course. Email FIS Skills and Training Lead George Swann with the following information to register your interest
- Your organisation
- Named contact and contact details
- Number of apprentices
- Which option, Dryliner or Ceilings and partitions
- Preferred start date for the apprentices training
The apprenticeship standard is available at https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/apprenticeship-standards/interior-systems-installer-v1-0 this provides the criteria on which the training programmes are based.
For organisations that are CITB registered, grants are available for apprentice travel and subsistence covering up to 80% of the costs, please see: Apprenticeship travel and accommodation funding ‘Travel to Train’ – CITB
by Clair Mooney | 21 Jan, 2022 | Drylining, Skills
CITB is looking for support to assist with its development of a traineeship for drylining occupations.
Employers and subject matter experts are invited to the meeting on Friday 28 January between 13:00 – 15:00. If you are interested in attending, contact Alexandra Lee at CITB on 07500 880181 or email alexandra.lee@citb.co.uk. To view the current version please see: Draft Dry Lining Traineeship v6.docx
What is a Traineeship
A traineeship is a skills development programme that includes a work experience placement. Traineeships help prepare young people aged 16 to 24, or 25 with an education, health and care plan, for employment or an apprenticeship. Traineeships must include at least 70 hours of work experience placement. They can last from 6 weeks up to 1 year, but most last less than 6 months. Employers can offer a work experience placement to a trainee. They will work with a training provider to design the workplace element of the programme. Traineeships are introductory courses to attract individuals, at risk of becoming long term unemployed into employment, the training should be broad and provide as much variety as possible with the work experience placement focused on a specialism.
The training provider will assess the needs of the trainee. Trainees may need pre-employment training before starting their work experience placement. Employers will then work with the training provider to plan and agree:
- the length of the work experience placement
- the days the trainee works
- how the programme will be delivered
Traineeships are flexible. Employers can change the programme as they go to make sure they and the trainee get the most out of it.
Employers must provide:
- a safe, meaningful and high-quality work experience placement
- a minimum of 70 hours of work experience placement over the duration of the traineeship (if the trainee claims benefits, the placement cannot last longer than 240 hours)
- constructive feedback and advice to the trainee
- an interview for an apprenticeship or job in their organisation at the end of the traineeship if one is available
- an exit interview at the end of the traineeship with meaningful written feedback if no job is available
Offering a work experience placement gives employers the chance to:
- get to know and work with a young person to see if they’re right for an apprenticeship or job in their business
- design a programme that suits the needs of the trainee and their business
- develop current employees’ experience in training and mentoring
- recruit new talent for their business
- claim an employer incentive of £1,000 when a work experience placement of over 70 hours has been completed
Employers who make new work experience placement opportunities available may be eligible for an incentive payment of £1,000 per trainee. They can claim this incentive for up to 10 learners per region. Employers decide how to use the money. You can view more guidance on employer incentive payments and how to claim them.
Traineeships are funded by the government. Traineeships are free to the employer, but they may choose to support trainees with expenses such as transport and meals. If you are interested in offering a work experience placement for a traineeship:
- Contact the National Apprenticeship Service to register your interest and to ask for advice and support on traineeships. They can help you set up a traineeship and advertise it on Find a traineeship.
- Partner with a training provider who will help you to design a traineeship that will meet your business needs. They will also advertise the work experience placement for you.
- Agree with the trainee and your training provider exactly what each of you expects from the traineeship.
George Swann FIS Skills and Training Lead says “Traineeships are part of the Governments Plans for Jobs; in the current system approximately 60% to 70% of people on construction training courses delivered by FE do not enter the construction industry. By providing more variety in the college element, introducing individuals to the wide range of careers available, Dry Lining Fixer Boarder and Finisher, Ceiling and Partitions Fixer, Plasterer solid and fibrous something should hook their interest and the work experience placement will put them in the work environment and show what the occupational specialism is about. It’s worth employers giving this a try as addressing the labour shortages is all about home grow talent and if you find capable individuals, well enough said. I encourage all employers and subject matter experts to get involved with the development work of CITB the more variety finishes, and interiors Traineeships have the greater the exposure of the fantastic opportunities this sector has to offer and more young people it should attract….Bigger net more fish”.
by Clair Mooney | 18 Jan, 2022 | Skills
FIS members can now advertise all their opportunities for new entrants, including apprenticeships and work experience, for free on TalentView Construction, a new dedicated online platform for those looking to secure their first role in construction.
TalentView sits alongside the Construction Talent Retention Scheme providing a ‘one stop shop’ for the recruitment and retention of skills across the industry. After calling for an apprentice matching service for a number of years FIS is delighted to welcome the launch of TalentView which should make it much easier for young people to join the industry.
Members can register for TalentView now and upload all their ‘first job’ vacancies. This service is free of charge.
by Clair Mooney | 13 Jan, 2022 | Skills
National Apprenticeship Week 2022 takes place from 7-13 February. The week will bring together everyone passionate about apprenticeships to celebrate the value, benefit, and opportunity that apprenticeships bring.
The theme of National Apprenticeship Week 2022 is ‘Build the Future’, a continuation of the theme used in 2021 and allowing the week to link to the key pillars of the Build Back Better campaign.
Technical education has been transformed in recent years through programmes such as apprenticeships, Traineeships, T Levels, and KickStart. The week will encourage the country to consider and celebrate how technical education can help individuals to develop the skills and knowledge required for a rewarding career, and employers to develop a workforce with future ready skills.
Across the week there will be engaging stories of apprentices’ progression – the increase in their confidence, skills, knowledge and how apprenticeships have kick-started incredible careers. It will also showcase the business benefits and return on investment of employing apprentices, how employers are using apprenticeships to fill skills gaps, upskill and revitalise their workforce ensuring they are future proof and future ready!
Let’s also use the week to recognise the resilience of employers, training providers, EPAOs (End Point Assessment Organisations) and apprentices during Covid. Visit https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/influencers/naw-2022 to find out more.
How to get involved
Employers: Encourage everyone to consider how training apprentices can build their business for years to come. Speak about the return on investment you are already seeing and how investing in your workforce helps you retain talent. Tell everyone of any successful levy transfers or examples of excellent brokerage by intermediaries. Host a Graduation or Apprenticeship Awards Ceremony. Showcase the diversity of career options and industries now available and what you can achieve through apprenticeships. You might also choose to showcase your wider recruitment offer, such as KickStart, Traineeships, or T Levels.
Individuals: Tell your story and discuss the impact of your apprenticeship training, progression opportunities and how you have achieved your career goals.
Training Providers: Highlight the great apprentices and employers you work with, and the opportunities available. You may wish to highlight individuals who have progressed from a Traineeship to an apprenticeship, or through the apprenticeship levels.
