Move over Sir Alan – a new pilot apprenticeship programme which will help young people enter traditional building maintenance trades has been approved by Bridgend County Borough Council’s Cabinet.
And unlike Sir Alan Sugar’s tough TV programme, the council’s version will give six apprentices the opportunity to work with the Building Section on a three-year rolling programme.
The pilot fits in with the council’s commitment to investing in training and employment experience to help those wishing to enter trades as such as bricklaying, plumbing, electrical, carpentry, and motor mechanics
If the pilot is successful it will act as a springboard for the council to widen the apprenticeship scheme to include other areas of local authority work.
There are no specific eligibility criteria for the pilot but all apprentices would need to complete a basic skills assessment.
Bridgend College will be a key partner in the scheme, and it has already identified a potential group of students to be considered for an apprenticeship placement and who will get to “earn while they learn”.
The costs for six apprentices on a rolling three year programme in the traditional trades will average £50,000 per year. It will be funded from the current building maintenance budget by savings made from the restructuring of the unit, managing natural retirements and transitional vacancies.
In recognition of the council’s “corporate parenting” obligations and responsibilities towards young people leaving care, applications from care leavers will be encouraged and the aim is that at least one apprenticeship placement every three years will be held by a former looked after child.
Councillor Huw David, Cabinet Member for Resources, said: “This is a great initiative for Bridgend County Borough Council as an organisation. We have an ageing workforce and we do have shortages in certain areas so this is one way we can tackle this issue.
“It’s also a great initiative for the young people who will benefit from what will be a Rolls Royce scheme and provide them with an opportunity to earn while they learn at what is a tough time for many. It’s a small scheme at the moment but it’s a start and I’m sure it will grow as we grow the young people taking part.”
