Charitable company JTL has come to the rescue of apprentices in the Norwich area, after training services through EAGIT abruptly ended, following this organisation ceasing trading.
Thirteen learners in the second year of their apprenticeship were potentially at risk as well as 22 new starters who were expecting to begin their four year programme of study in October. Now JTL is to invest some £100,000 on a small training venue some four miles from the centre of Norwich to host Norfolk learners. At the same time local electrical employers will benefit as their investment in their apprentices and supporting off-the-job learning has been safeguarded.
“Whilst we considered alternatives to help the young people involved, we concluded that the best course of action in support of the electrical and associated trades in Norfolk was to establish our own training centre,” said Ian Livsey, chairman of JTL. “We plan to have the whole new facility up and running by January. At eventual full capacity the intention is to have three cohort groups in each year, representing about 100 apprentices in total.”
JTL – the largest training and most successful provider in building services engineering – works effectively with some 50 colleges across England and Wales, but is careful to choose partners who meet the company’s strict adherence to quality standards and service levels that match JTL’s standing as an OFSTED Grade 2 training provider. A key feature of the business is that it will not allow quality to be jeopardised by lesser service levels to both individual learners and their employers.
An uptake in demand for skilled electricians, plumbers and heating engineers in East Anglia has mirrored growth in the regional economy but by demonstrating achievement results that run considerably ahead of national averages, JTL has captured a greater market share. Crucial to this success has been the dedicated attention of locally-based training officers who act in a combined role of being a mentor and support for the young person on the programme, as well as keeping employers fully informed on the progress of their staff member. In this way achievement in a timely manner is best certain to be achieved.
“We don’t make an investment such as this lightly,” continued Ian Livsey, “but where there is concern in areas of the country that potential partners are unable to meet our expectations we will invest to ensure employers continue to be supported effectively and apprentices are given the opportunity to gain the necessary skills to be successful in the world of work.”