In this regular column, offering advice and updates on electrical qualifications and recommended training routes, Kevin Sparrow, Industry & Portfolio Manager at EAL Awards, identifies some of the benefits that employing an apprentice in your business can deliver.
EAL is the exclusive provider of BSE (including electrical) apprenticeships in Wales and supports thousands of apprentices annually in England and Northern Ireland. By collaborating with industry bodies, including The Electrotechnical Skills Partnership (TESP), ECA and IET, training providers such as JTL, as well as employers, we ensure our qualifications align with the industry and are current and relevant.
In England, two primary apprenticeship standards are available: the Installation and Maintenance Electrician standard and the Domestic Electrician standard. Both incorporate EAL’s qualifications and culminate in the AM2S or AM2DE assessments.
In Wales, apprentices pursue the EAL Level 3 Building Services Engineering – Electrotechnical Installation qualification, which also concludes with the AM2S assessment.
Despite regional differences due to devolved education policies, the core electrical content remains consistent across the UK, adhering to BS 7671 and industry practices and standards. After all, BS 7671 is applied across the UK, and science and principles are universal!
Importantly, we work closely with TESP, ECA, and employers to help ensure comparable outcomes for apprentices across the UK.
A cost-effective way to increase your workforce
Apprentices offer significant value to a business, and I would encourage any company that may not have considered so before to take one on. Apprentices are a cost-effective way to increase the workforce while they develop their knowledge, skills (and behaviours), which can be tailored to the needs of the work you carry out.
They can bring new ideas and perspectives that are valuable to innovate, improve, and grow your business and can help develop a diverse workforce in terms of age, ethnicity, and gender, which can bring a range of benefits such as different viewpoints and approaches.
Apprentices who are trained within the company are more likely to stay long-term, reducing turnover and recruitment costs, and can assist experienced employees with tasks, allowing them to focus on more complex work and increasing overall productivity. They can also help drive your business forward, so if you’re considering taking on an apprentice, contact your local college or apprenticeship training provider, such as JTL.
Another option to consider is whether your local college is offering the BSE for Construction T Level – electrotechnical engineering. They will have high-calibre students seeking a work placement, so it provides a great opportunity to see if the young person could be a fit for your business as a future apprentice.
Employers can also engage with EAL in shaping this T Level by joining our development advisory group through the link at the bottom of the page.
While some contractors may hesitate to employ apprentices due to barriers such as commitment, costs and funding, the long-term benefits can outweigh these concerns.
Apprenticeships contribute to the development of a skilled workforce and support the growth and sustainability of businesses within the sector. The long-term benefits of integrating apprentices into the workforce can be substantial, driving future business growth and innovation.
You can register your interest today by completing EAL’s online form, which can be accessed through the link below.
Get further details on joining EAL’s development advisory group here
Find more industry feature articles here
