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Our own industry charity, the Electrical Industries Charity, has teamed up with JTL, the leading work-based training provider of electrical apprentices across England and Wales, and the Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust (SECTT), to launch a new support scheme for apprentices. By James Hunt:
Called the Apprentice Support Programme, this scheme has been designed to help young people deal with some of the key challenges that can affect them as they work towards their apprenticeships.
It has come about through a new collaboration between the Electrical Industries Charity - for many years known as the Electrical and Electronics Industries Benevolent Association (EEIBA) – together with JTL and SECTT. Both the Charity and JTL are Voltimum UK partner organisations.
Apprenticeships, as a form of vocational training, are over 100 years old, but have suffered in recent decades. However, there has recently been a renewed interest in and drive towards augmenting and improving apprenticeship schemes and importance, and the Government is also introducing its new Apprenticeship Levy – a different form of funding. The new Apprentice Support Programme perhaps reflects these trends.
The Charity says that it offers apprentices independent advice and information through a Confidential Helpline (0800 652 1618) on a wide variety of issues, such as rising debt and problems at home or work.
The organisation has also partnered with a leading provider of interactive online career management to offer career development advice, which is available as part of the Programme, through a ‘work friend’ portal.
Building resilience
Electrical Industries Charity MD, Tessa Ogle, commented: “Apprenticeships provide a real opportunity for the bright young stars of the future but becoming an apprentice is by no means easy and the need to balance work and study can be tough. If there are added pressures in your personal life this can often be an obstacle that is difficult to overcome.
“The launch of the Apprentice Support Programme recognises our stewardship role in building resilience for the young lifeblood of our industry. By providing help when, and where it is needed most the industry is able to look after its most important asset – our people,” she concluded.
For more information, go to: http://www.electricalcharity.org/