In recent years there has been a significant drop in the number of apprentices being taken on by employers in the Joint Major Contractors Group (JMCG) within the electrical contracting industry.

As a consequence, the ECA, labour agency Beaver Management Systems (BMS), JTL and the JMCG are to pilot an initiative to increase the uptake of apprentice training in the sector.

BMS will take on electrical apprentices who will move between JMCG companies to experience different types of work. BMS will aim to offer full-time employment with participating major contractors, with no fee, upon completion of the apprenticeship.

The pilot scheme, starting in September 2005 and operating within the boundaries of the M25, aims to take on 30 to 50 new trainees. It clearly defines the roles and responsibilities of each party involved: the contractor is charged with providing suitable work faces, time and on-the-job training/inductions for each apprentice: the only cost to it is the apprentice’s JIB wage rate. Meanwhile, BMS and JTL will cover all administration/HR/training costs, with JTL picking up college fees and exam entry costs. BMS will send a training co-ordinator to both college and the workplace to ensure apprentice progression and to review requirements.

Phil Surlis, an employee relations adviser with the ECA, says: “The initiative is designed to encourage training by major contractors to increase the pool of well-qualified operatives available to the electrical industry. BMS is undertaking the pilot as a non-profit-making exercise and it is supported by JMCG firms and JTL.”

Source

Electrical and Mechanical Contractor