SELECT, the industry body for the electrotechnical sector in Scotland, has welcomed plans announced in the Comprehensive Spending Review to fund a 50% rise in adult apprenticeships over the next four years, bringing the total to 75,000 a year by the end of the period.
However, it points out that as the recession continues to bite, young electricians need help to complete their training now and it has revealed the extraordinary lengths the organisation has gone to protect the integrity of existing apprenticeship programmes.
Newell McGuiness, Managing Director of SELECT, revealed that the trade body has been engaged for the past several years in acting as a “brokerage” to match apprentices who are being made redundant with potential vacancies or other training elsewhere in the sector.
Mr McGuiness said: “The past few years have been a very difficult time in the construction sector and many firms have had to substantially reduce costs and in some cases have simply gone to the wall.
“While this is a blow for everyone concerned, it is particularly hard on young people who have made a commitment to the trade and who are keen to contribute to the ever-growing professionalism of the sector.”
He said that SELECT was often the first port of call for firms who knew that they were heading into trouble and frequently one of their primary concerns was to find some means of sustaining the job prospects of their apprentices.
“There is no doubt that there is a significant inclination among electrical contractors to look after the youngsters in the trade as well as possible. It is part of their DNA. Many of them have been apprentices themselves and they are very well aware just how much hard work and commitment it takes to stay the course,” he said.
Employers come to SELECT because of the wide range of programmes and facilities on offer at its headquarters at the Walled Garden complex on the Bush Estate in Midlothian. It houses not only the Scottish Joint Industry Board, but also the Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust, both of which have a considerable stake in apprenticeship schemes and have been key partners in supporting the industry in these difficult times.
SECTT is a non-profit making organisation that is concerned only with the training of apprentices within the SJIB apprenticeship scheme. The Trust was established by SELECT and the Unite union, both of whom appoint an equal number of trustees as their representatives.
The SJIB training scheme is the only industry approved training scheme for electrical contracting apprenticeships in Scotland. This scheme is designed to regulate the entry, conditions of service, training and education of apprentices in the electrical contracting Industry.
The “re-homing” project has been aided particularly by SECTT, which has a network of field workers who have comprehensive contacts with employers across the country and by the SJIB who have a deep understanding of the needs and requirements within particular areas and projects.
Mr McGuiness said: “Quite often we are able to match an apprentice who has been laid off, or is in danger of being laid off, with an employer who is expanding and looking for good, committed workers who will contribute to the firm.
“If it is impossible to find alternative employment immediately, it is sometimes feasible to find grant funding to keep the young electrician in employment and meaningful training until such times as we can find him a berth elsewhere.
“Accessing government grant funding which is available to encourage re-employment is one useful way forward.”
SELECT recognises that maintaining a relevant and up-to-date skill base is vital for the continuing health of the electrotechnical sector and is committed to a healthy apprenticeship programme which will provide a strong supply of highly trained electricians.