“One of our employees had retired and another had gone on maternity leave and it’s the first time we had taken on apprentices. The Traineeships programme with the training at Skills Training UK and then the work placement here, had helped the young people to be ready for work. We have been getting very good support from Skills Training UK who have given us a very valuable service.”Paul Holloway, Managing Director, ZINCO

ZINCO manufactures stainless steel chains and other products in the West Midlands, for distribution nationally. It took on two young people as apprentices in Business Administration and Warehousing and Logistics after their Traineeship work placements had gone well.

Matthew Henworth, Trainee, Warehousing and Logistics

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We created them so young people aged 16-24 can learn relevant industry or service sector skills and develop the positive attitudes which employers want.

Since 2014 we have started hundreds of young people on our Traineeships programmes, with very positive numbers achieving outcomes such as a job, an apprenticeship or progressing to Further Education. Our Traineeships provide tailored classroom training and individual mentoring, combined with a high quality 100 hour work experience placement which gives employers an extended opportunity to see the young person’s potential.

Our Traineeships also work eff ectively as a pre-apprenticeship programme for major employers like Halfords.

Our bespoke approach is also about creating partnerships with companies like BT, providing opportunities which are opening the eyes of young people to the careers in ‘new work’ sectors such as IT, communications and digital media.

Please get in touch so we can discuss your needs.

Our brand of Traineeshipsis sector-specifi c with anemployer focus

Growing Traineeships

● Our Traineeships strategy is aligned with Government priorities and with our own approach to young people’s programmes which creates progression routes for learners

● The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills consulted us during their development of Traineeships

● We decided to create a bespoke approach and designed our Traineeships to appeal to those sectors where employment opportunities and skills gaps were emerging

● In our Traineeships’ development, we looked into the economic growth plans of LEPs and at the job vacancies being advertised by recruitment companies and through the local media

● In the Midlands a rapid rise in engineering and automotive jobs, coupled with the recommendations of the Black Country LEP and the STEM Alliance, all pointed to the fact that manufacturing and engineering skills were a priority

● These factors gave a clear rationale to create Traineeships for Industry in partnership with stakeholders and invest in our new West Midlands training centres

● Initially in London (and now in the Midlands and South East) Traineeships for the Service Sector are meeting the strong demand for jobs in the retail, business administration and hospitality industries

● Fundamental to the success and growth of our Traineeships has been the development of eff ective relationships with local stakeholders including Jobcentre Plus and local schools

● Our Traineeships have grown signifi cantly, with a wide number of employers of diff erent sizes and sectors embracing our approach.

“It was a fantastic experience and a real opportunity to learn about global TV networks and broadcasting. I learned so much and it inspired me to apply for a BT Apprenticeship.”Maera Khan (above, right), aged 18, BT Apprentice

Through a pioneering partnership between BT and Skills Training UK, young trainees are gaining an insight into new technology, the media and communications networks during two-week work placements at the BT Tower in Central London. They each have a BT ‘host’ employee to shadow and experience various technical, engineering, IT and customer service roles.

As well as learning about diff erent job roles, there is a focus on improving individual employability skills. The timetable includes mock interviews, practical thinking and business problem solving, with practical exercises.

Each young person keeps a log and discusses learning points each day with their BT hosts. They are gaining the practical skills and confi dence to progress to an Apprenticeship and succeed in the world of work.

The sky’s the limit with work experience at BT Tower

Traineeships for the Service Sector

This unique programme is for 16-24 year-olds who have the potential to secure a full-time job or an Apprenticeship or to go onto further education or training.

Before their work placement the learners complete a 10 week programme at one of Skills Training UK’s centres to gain essential skills for full-time employment. The work preparation includes CV writing, interview techniques and careers help, as well as English, Maths and ICT coaching.

At the end of the work placement each young person is given an interview, employer testimonial and a reference to add to their CV. Skills Training UK then works with each young person to progress them into an Apprenticeship, full-time job or into further education or training.

“We recognise that it’s tough at the moment for young people to fi nd jobs which is why we are delighted to be partnering with Skills Training UK to help their trainees gain the valuable experience they need to progress to employment.”Damian Brown, Ready to Work Programme Lead, BT

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“The achievement of the younger age group (16-18 learners) is excellent.” OFSTED Inspection Report 2014

Halfords has over 400 stores nationally and the Traineeship programme has become an established part of its approach to recruiting young people. It off ers opportunities to candidates to progress to an Apprenticeship and a permanent job and ensures Halfords has a regular intake of loyal staff .

As Halfords’ Traineeships partner in London, the South East and the Black Country, Skills Training UK is responsible for sourcing and pre-assessing candidates as well as managing their learning programme. The young people who Halfords selects are initially coached over a three week period by Skills Training UK, working towards qualifi cations in Retail (Level 1), Customer Service (Level 2), and English and Maths at Level 1 or 2.

Personal development and employability skills, including creativity and teamwork, are developed through an ‘enterprise challenge’ to design the bike of the future. The futuristic designs are pitched by trainees to Halfords’ Store Managers before work placements begin. Trainees attend these work placements for three days a week whilst continuing their learning at Skills Training UK for two days each week, when they complete their qualifi cations and perfect their interview techniques.

After interviews with their Halfords’ Managers, successful learners are off ered a relevant Apprenticeship, or if there isn’t an available position, they join a ‘talent pool’ for when a position becomes available. All the trainees have benefi ted from work experience, new qualifi cations and a Halfords’ reference and any young person who doesn’t secure a position receives on-going support from Skills Training UK.

Traineeships are a win-winfor Halfords

Kai grasps the Halfords opportunity

“I leapt at the chance as I love bikes and fi xing things – the idea was instantly sold to me. From the beginning I knew I wanted to get a career out of this and hopefully within fi ve years I will reach a managerial position.“Skills Training UK have helped me through several tough times and the staff here are amazing with people my age. I would love to be able to come back to Skills Training UK later on in life and hopefully inspire young adults of a similar age to what I am now to really get out there and get experience.” Kai Downie, 18, Halfords Traineeship, London

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“Thanks to Skills Training UK, the Traineeships are a great win-win,” says Marsha Myles, Apprenticeship & Traineeship Manager at Halfords. “Not only does the candidate get great experience and the chance to see what it’s like to work for us, with an opportunity to move into a permanent role, we also see greater loyalty and, as a result, we have greatly improved our retention rate.

“We only take unemployed or those not in education or training, so it’s also a way that Halfords gives back to the local community.”

Pathways to Apprenticeshipsand jobs in the West MidlandsThe high quality work experience placements organised for young people on Skills Training UK’s Traineeships for Industry and Traineeships for the Service Sector are creating pathways to new employment for young people in the West Midlands. They are aligned to the Black Country’s vision for economic development.

Before their Traineeship work placements the 16-24 year-olds undertake relevant training at Skills Training UK’s centres in Walsall or Dudley. The courses are designed to equip them with skills in the industry or service sectors, as well as improve their numeracy, literacy, communication and team work.

First Components, a specialist precision engineering company with sixty employees across its three companies, is one of the many employers working with Skills Training UK. Three young people have progressed into apprenticeship positions with the company after completing Traineeship work experience placements with the fi rm and Skills Training UK will now develop their skills through apprenticeship training in the workplace.

They include Patrick Pearce (pictured below), who completed his Traineeship work placement with First Components and is now doing an apprenticeship in Performing Manufacturing Operations.

“We needed to train younger people to assist in the administration side of the business before senior members of our workforce retire. It’s worked out well for us and Anja is doing as much as possible to learn her new role.Julie Hayward, Company Secretary, First Components

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As the new recruit in First Components’ purchasing department, Anja Clinton is fulfi lling the company’s need to succession plan through her Apprenticeship in Business Administration.

“We were looking to take on younger people as there is a shortage of engineering skills at the moment”Julie Hayward, Company Secretary, First Components

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First Traineeship job builds into flourishing career When Skills Training UK launched Traineeships for Industry in the West Midlands in the autumn of 2014, Damian Williams, then aged 20, from Walsall, was one of the first trainees to take part. He had been searching for work for almost two years.

Director Tim Willis had been looking to employ someone and took the opportunity of the work placement to see whether Damian was the right fit with his business.

Damian impressed Tim during the four-week work placement and was later offered a permanent position as a trainee Saw Doctor. He has now been in the role for over a year.

Employers have welcomed the opening of Skills Training UK’s first Apprenticeship Academy at Wolverhampton Science Park, which provides first class training for apprentices in Digital Marketing and IT, Software, Web and Telecoms.

Skills Training UK’s service to employers includes advertising the apprenticeship vacancies, screening candidates and providing a shortlist ready for interview.

For young people needing to develop further skills and experience before winning an apprenticeship position the Academy is also running a Fast Track to Apprenticeships, where they learn all the essentials for getting onto an Apprenticeship and gain up to 3 weeks of vital work experience.

Apprentices in Social Media and Digital Marketing attend the Academy for up to a total of 24 training days over the 12 month apprenticeship programme which leads to a Level 3 Diploma in Digital Marketing, with Level 2 Functional Skills in ICT, Maths or English. The remaining time is spent in the work place, training to become a social media or digital marketing assistant with the knowledge and skills to create and manage website content and use social media to support company marketing.

Apprentices in IT, Software, Web and Telecoms attend the Academy for a total of up to 10 weeks. This Advanced Apprenticeship is relevant to all companies who use IT within their business, either to support their main business activities or because IT or Telecoms is their business. It prepares Apprentices for roles such as network engineer, web developer, software developer, IT technical support and helpdesk. Apprentices achieve a Level 3 Diploma in Professional Competence for IT and Telecoms Professionals and a Level 3 Extended Diploma in ICT Systems and Principles, with Level 2 Functional Skills where applicable.

Tim Willis (Director, Gerrymet) with Damian Williams, Trainee Saw Doctor

“I’ve got a job, which has made a huge difference to my life.”

Damian Williams, Trainee Saw Doctor, Gerrymet

“I was really impressed with Damian’s attitude and took him on as a Trainee Saw Doctor. He’s fitted in really well and I can see that Skills Training UK have really listened to what employers want.”Tim Willis, Director, Gerrymet

Please contact us to arrange an introductory meeting

Freephone: 0800 612 6224

Email: traineeships@skillstraininguk.com

Skills Training UK 4th Floor

Wembley Point1 Harrow Road

Wembley HA9 6DE

www.skillstraininguk.com

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