NAPIT has leant its weight in support of a new industry-led initiative, Apprentice 121, which helps apprentices find placements, complete their qualifications and find work after the impacts of COVID-19.
The initiative, alongside Chancellor’s Rishi Sunak announcement of a £2 billion Kickstart Scheme to create jobs for young people aged 16-24, claiming Universal Credit and at risk of long-term unemployment, is extremely promising for recovery following the COVID-19 outbreak.
Set up by NAPIT member Mark Allison of Power Sonic, with the intention of providing a support system to help apprentices that have lost work placements due to the impact of COVID-19, it aims to help electrical apprentices complete qualifications with opportunities for site-based work to demonstrate their skills as part of the NVQ training program.
Mark set up the Apprentice 121 website to create a community of employers and people within the electrical industry who could help provide apprentices with placements. Apprentices can register their details on the site for free and then be allocated to suitable employers and trainers who can help.
Mark said: “I set up Apprentice 121 with the intention of becoming a collective industry effort involving companies and people who want to help. I did this for free and without any expectation of reward. I noticed that since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, apprentices were struggling to get qualified and ultimately find work. Apprentice 121 can help apprentices qualify and build a career, and employers can sign up to grow the support system and help the next generation of industry professionals.”
Mike Andrews, NAPIT Group Chief Executive Officer, added: “Now is a tough time for many in our industry, and when we noticed the great work Mark had initiated to help apprentices, we offered to support the Apprentice 121 website by getting the message out to our members and the wider industry. Now the lockdown restrictions have been lifted it’s vital we as an industry support the next generation in qualifying, working to the highest standards and finding future work opportunities.”
Apprentice 121 is in urgent need for site-based opportunities for apprentices to complete assessments. This can be in the form of apprentice positions or simple access to sites for supervision and guidance.
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