Latest news with #PeterboroughCollege
Yahoo
22-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Students given insight into careers in construction
Construction students from Peterborough College visited Persimmon Homes East Midlands' site. The visit was part of Persimmon's initiative to encourage more people to consider careers in construction. The students were given a tour of the Hampton Wood and Hampton Green site by contracts manager John Tack. They were shown the various stages of building a home, from the foundations upwards. Hampton Woods (Image: Peterborough College) This allowed the students to see how their classroom skills in bricklaying and carpentry translate to real-world construction. The students also got a sneak peek at Persimmon's latest innovation, the discovery showhome. Recommended Reading: Inspection downgrade's mental health services This feature has 'pulled back' walls that display the new technologies and sustainability measures in modern homes, including enhanced insulation and waste water heat recovery. Mr Tack said: 'I was pleased to welcome students to the site at Hampton as part of National Apprenticeship Week. "It is important to inspire the next generation of construction workers and for them to realise their full potential. "There are various opportunities available in the construction industry which I would recommend to everyone.' Keep up to date with the latest news across Peterborough by signing up to our newsletter email alerts here Have you got a story you want to share with us? Get in touch at: newsdesk@
Yahoo
16-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Companies welcome easing of apprenticeship rules
Plans to ditch a requirement for English and maths for apprentices has been welcomed by an East of England business leader. The government announced companies would have the power to decide if the qualifications should be part of a prescribed course when employing apprentices. Candy Richards of the region's Federation of Small Business (FSB) backed the idea but called for extra support for firms wanting to train people given the economic challenges many were facing. Former Conservative apprentices minister and ex-Harlow MP Robert Halfon said he was concerned about reducing skill levels but supported cutting bureaucracy. Labour's Peterborough MP Andy Pakes said: "Apprenticeships are the golden thread that runs through all of the ambitions to build new houses, create new jobs, fix the NHS and get towards net zero." The Department for Education (DfE) said a relaxation of the rules could mean 10,000 more apprentices are able to complete courses every year. At a special edition of BBC Politics East, filmed in Peterborough, Ms Richards said local businesses wanted to "get rid of red tape around apprenticeships". "Removing the requirements of apprentices to have Level 2 in maths and English is definitely going to help". She added: "Small businesses want some financial support... There are financial barriers and we need to get rid of these." Ms Richard said recent FSB research has found that "most small businesses are looking at reducing the headcount or keeping the same number of staff". Mr Halfon said: "There were a lot of changes when I was apprentices minister. "We brought in that the government - the taxpayer - would pay for all the training costs of 16-21-year-old apprentices. "I wish we had introduced a skills tax credit to encourage more SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) to have apprentices." But, he added: "I really worry about these functional skills. If you have maths and English, it sets you up for life." Peterborough College's director of apprenticeships James Whybrow said it was important to make apprenticeships "relevant for particular individuals", rather than "one size fits all". Mr Pakes said: "We have to find the mechanisms to support small businesses. "I think the growth in the skills levy (paid by firms) is a really important thing for business. "I speak to Peterborough employers and people support the levy because they see it pays back into their company for the next generation of apprentices. "The challenge now is not the money but how we make sure the money gets to the right places." Callum Mullis, an engineering student at Peterborough College, told BBC Politics East: "As I got older I realised engineering was something that I felt passionate about. "Apprenticeship seemed the better route to go down. "If I only went to sixth form to learn engineering I wouldn't necessarily be able to apply those skills. "Whereas through this apprenticeship I am able to apply it and learn it at the same time." Building apprentice at Peterborough College Tyler Macartney said: "I had run bars and restaurants before and had my child so I wanted a complete change in career and started working in the construction trade, self-employed at first and then for a firm. "My boss came to say it would be a great idea for me to advance my skills and go on and do an apprenticeship. "Nowadays they are building so many homes. You're always going to have work. There's a need for homes. Young people should be doing apprenticeships." BBC Politics East will be broadcast on Sunday, 16 February at 10:00 GMT on BBC One in the East of England, and will be available after broadcast on BBC iPlayer. Follow Peterborough news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Apprentices vital for growth, say Essex businesses Apprentices rise through ranks at accountancy firm Maths and English skills ditched for adult apprentices Federation of Small Businesses
BBC News
16-02-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Businesses back scrapping red tape to boost apprenticeships
Plans to ditch a requirement for English and maths for apprentices has been welcomed by an East of England business government announced companies would have the power to decide if the qualifications should be part of a prescribed course when employing Richards of the region's Federation of Small Business (FSB) backed the idea but called for extra support for firms wanting to train people given the economic challenges many were Conservative apprentices minister and ex-Harlow MP Robert Halfon said he was concerned about reducing skill levels but supported cutting bureaucracy. Labour's Peterborough MP Andy Pakes said: "Apprenticeships are the golden thread that runs through all of the ambitions to build new houses, create new jobs, fix the NHS and get towards net zero."The Department for Education (DfE) said a relaxation of the rules could mean 10,000 more apprentices are able to complete courses every a special edition of BBC Politics East, filmed in Peterborough, Ms Richards said local businesses wanted to "get rid of red tape around apprenticeships"."Removing the requirements of apprentices to have Level 2 in maths and English is definitely going to help".She added: "Small businesses want some financial support... There are financial barriers and we need to get rid of these."Ms Richard said recent FSB research has found that "most small businesses are looking at reducing the headcount or keeping the same number of staff". Mr Halfon said: "There were a lot of changes when I was apprentices minister."We brought in that the government - the taxpayer - would pay for all the training costs of 16-21-year-old apprentices."I wish we had introduced a skills tax credit to encourage more SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) to have apprentices."But, he added: "I really worry about these functional skills. If you have maths and English, it sets you up for life."Peterborough College's director of apprenticeships James Whybrow said it was important to make apprenticeships "relevant for particular individuals", rather than "one size fits all". Mr Pakes said: "We have to find the mechanisms to support small businesses."I think the growth in the skills levy (paid by firms) is a really important thing for business. "I speak to Peterborough employers and people support the levy because they see it pays back into their company for the next generation of apprentices."The challenge now is not the money but how we make sure the money gets to the right places." Callum Mullis, an engineering student at Peterborough College, told BBC Politics East: "As I got older I realised engineering was something that I felt passionate about."Apprenticeship seemed the better route to go down. "If I only went to sixth form to learn engineering I wouldn't necessarily be able to apply those skills."Whereas through this apprenticeship I am able to apply it and learn it at the same time." Building apprentice at Peterborough College Tyler Macartney said: "I had run bars and restaurants before and had my child so I wanted a complete change in career and started working in the construction trade, self-employed at first and then for a firm. "My boss came to say it would be a great idea for me to advance my skills and go on and do an apprenticeship."Nowadays they are building so many homes. You're always going to have work. There's a need for homes. Young people should be doing apprenticeships." BBC Politics East will be broadcast on Sunday, 16 February at 10:00 GMT on BBC One in the East of England, and will be available after broadcast on BBC Peterborough news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
