Employers launch apprentice exchange scheme with JTL

T Clarke and EDF Energy have joined forces with JTL to create an apprentice exchange programme so trainees can benefit from broader experience during the Advanced Apprenticeship.

The reciprocal arrangement has been developed to ensure trainees between the second and fourth years of their apprenticeship gain as much practical experience as possible before completion.

The exchange programme enables apprentices from EDF Energy to spend up to a month on site with T Clarke, benefiting from considerable commercial and industrial experience.

Apprentices from T Clarke can take advantage of EDF Energy’s onsite test centre and domestic expertise.

Ian Russell, assistant regional manager for JTL’s London team, said: “This exchange scheme is an excellent tool and will enable apprentices to obtain above and beyond the necessary skills to complete their portfolio and achieve the National Vocational Qualification Level 3.

“This partnership between two of the industry’s major employers is an example of how successful inter-employer relationships can be and we would like to see an increase in similar training partnerships in the future.”

John Burrows, labour manager for T Clarke, commented: “Apprentices from both firms will get a further insight into the electrical installation market and broader scope of different working environments.

“EDF Energy apprentices have been working with the T Clarke team on Broadgate Tower and 201 Bishopsgate in central London. They have been working on containment and more hardware based electrics, and getting a further insight into our different health and safety procedures.”

Henderson Osbourne, EDF Energy’s apprentice scheme manager, said that the scheme was going well and the apprentices involved have expressed highly positive feedback.

“This scheme allows apprentices to complete different aspects of training in commercial buildings and domestic homes with guidance from experienced electricians. The T Clarke apprentices who come to us will benefit from our test centre and undertake a range of work across London, the South East and Kent,” Osbourne added.