Local youngsters in Brent have been offered the opportunity to become technician apprentices thanks to a major construction industry initiative to ensure more apprentices are recruited and trained for the sector.
The College of North West London has joined The Technician Apprenticeship Consortium initiative and is one of only two colleges that will train the apprentices in Civil Engineering and Building Services Engineering. This year’s intake had over 700 applicants and 60 have been chosen for the scheme.
Many of the trainees secured their apprenticeship at the College after completing the ‘Budding Brunels’ scheme, a Construction Youth Trust programme to diversify recruitment into engineering. The 60 apprentices met up at the launch of The Technician Apprenticeship Consortium scheme, held at the Institution of Civil Engineers in Westminster, and shared their expectations about the programme and their excitement on being chosen to participate.
18 year old Jamal Jules, from Kilburn, who is currently employed by global engineering management company Mott McDonald, said of the opportunity: “I’ve only been with Mott McDonald for a few weeks but have gone straight into some great projects like the Nottingham Tramway and Heathrow upgrade. I spend one day a week at the College learning the theory I need for the work and the rest of the week putting what I’ve learnt into practice.”
The Technician Apprenticeship Consortium represents around 30 construction industry companies and it aims to fully train 16-25 year olds in the profession. This opportunity is a real alternative to the university route for entering the profession, allowing students to earn while they learn. Consortium Chair, Gareth Drought, commented: “The consortium is a true success story based on a clear need in the industry. It is producing first rate employees through the work-based training route and we’re delighted to have the College of North West London training the apprentices.”