Latest news with #apprenticeship
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
'Construction firms won't let me work because I'm a girl'
A stonemasonry student said companies had told her she could not join the profession "because she's a girl". Alice, who is 17, was one of the students who took part in a competition for apprentices at Moulton College in Northampton on Thursday. Industry experts have said 19,750 extra construction workers are needed in the East of England by 2028 to meet government housebuilding targets. However, some students, like Alice, said they still faced barriers which made it difficult to pursue a career in construction. The SkillBuild competition, organised by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), tested apprentices and trainees in a variety of tasks, from furniture making to tiling. Alice, from Weston Favell in Northamptonshire, inherited her interest in architecture from her grandfather and wanted to work on some of the UK's greatest stone buildings - cathedrals. But she said her journey had not been easy. "I've tried to contact some companies to get onto that kind of work, but it hasn't really worked out," she told the BBC. "The main thing is that I'm a woman and a lot of companies have told me 'you can't do this because you're a girl - you're not strong enough, you won't be able to do the heavy labour'." Another competitor, Maizie from Bury St Edmonds in Suffolk, wanted to encourage more women to join the industry. The 17-year-old goes to college in Colchester and said: "In my class it's actually a pretty good mix, but in the industry as a whole, it's definitely a big imbalance. "People need to realise the value of these industries, and we need to push more young people to go into it. It can be a bit inaccessible at the beginning, especially for young people, since working in these workshop environments can be quite dangerous." The first obstacle in the competition for Rugby man Sean, 18, was having to "scavenge" for the right tools to make a porch roof, having brought the wrong ones. The bigger issue for him, generally, was the lack of opportunities for young people. He said: "There's not enough apprenticeships - it took me two years to get here, and I feel like that's one of the biggest problems. "The amount of houses they're trying to build; they definitely need more apprenticeships." A CITB report published this month said 19,750 new workers were needed in the region. Robert Smith, from the CITB, said "we really need to make that attractive so that they know there are jobs for the future, secure opportunities and great career pathways". The figures suggest there is a long way to go before there is a gender balance in the industry. According to The Office for National Statistics, women comprise just 15.8% of the construction workforce and only 2% of workers onsite. There is some hope, though, with the number of women as a proportion of the overall construction workforce increasing by 36.9% since 2012. The government said construction would be one area to benefit from a "record-breaking £3bn apprenticeship budget". Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. 'I went from studying fine art to tiling floors' Trainee brickie urges more women to consider trade Calls for gender balance in construction industry Moulton College Construction Industry Training Board
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
'Construction firms won't let me work because I'm a girl'
A stonemasonry student said companies had told her she could not join the profession "because she's a girl". Alice, who is 17, was one of the students who took part in a competition for apprentices at Moulton College in Northampton on Thursday. Industry experts have said 19,750 extra construction workers are needed in the East of England by 2028 to meet government housebuilding targets. However, some students, like Alice, said they still faced barriers which made it difficult to pursue a career in construction. The SkillBuild competition, organised by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), tested apprentices and trainees in a variety of tasks, from furniture making to tiling. Alice, from Weston Favell in Northamptonshire, inherited her interest in architecture from her grandfather and wanted to work on some of the UK's greatest stone buildings - cathedrals. But she said her journey had not been easy. "I've tried to contact some companies to get onto that kind of work, but it hasn't really worked out," she told the BBC. "The main thing is that I'm a woman and a lot of companies have told me 'you can't do this because you're a girl - you're not strong enough, you won't be able to do the heavy labour'." Another competitor, Maizie from Bury St Edmonds in Suffolk, wanted to encourage more women to join the industry. The 17-year-old goes to college in Colchester and said: "In my class it's actually a pretty good mix, but in the industry as a whole, it's definitely a big imbalance. "People need to realise the value of these industries, and we need to push more young people to go into it. It can be a bit inaccessible at the beginning, especially for young people, since working in these workshop environments can be quite dangerous." The first obstacle in the competition for Rugby man Sean, 18, was having to "scavenge" for the right tools to make a porch roof, having brought the wrong ones. The bigger issue for him, generally, was the lack of opportunities for young people. He said: "There's not enough apprenticeships - it took me two years to get here, and I feel like that's one of the biggest problems. "The amount of houses they're trying to build; they definitely need more apprenticeships." A CITB report published this month said 19,750 new workers were needed in the region. Robert Smith, from the CITB, said "we really need to make that attractive so that they know there are jobs for the future, secure opportunities and great career pathways". The figures suggest there is a long way to go before there is a gender balance in the industry. According to The Office for National Statistics, women comprise just 15.8% of the construction workforce and only 2% of workers onsite. There is some hope, though, with the number of women as a proportion of the overall construction workforce increasing by 36.9% since 2012. The government said construction would be one area to benefit from a "record-breaking £3bn apprenticeship budget". Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. 'I went from studying fine art to tiling floors' Trainee brickie urges more women to consider trade Calls for gender balance in construction industry Moulton College Construction Industry Training Board
BBC News
a day ago
- Business
- BBC News
Stonemasonry apprentice says firms reject her for being a girl
A stonemasonry student said companies had told her she could not join the profession "because she's a girl".Alice, who is 17, was one of the students who took part in a competition for apprentices at Moulton College in Northampton on experts have said 19,750 extra construction workers are needed in the East of England by 2028 to meet government housebuilding some students, like Alice, said they still faced barriers which made it difficult to pursue a career in construction. The SkillBuild competition, organised by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), tested apprentices and trainees in a variety of tasks, from furniture making to from Weston Favell in Northamptonshire, inherited her interest in architecture from her grandfather and wanted to work on some of the UK's greatest stone buildings - she said her journey had not been easy."I've tried to contact some companies to get onto that kind of work, but it hasn't really worked out," she told the BBC."The main thing is that I'm a woman and a lot of companies have told me 'you can't do this because you're a girl - you're not strong enough, you won't be able to do the heavy labour'." Another competitor, Maizie from Bury St Edmonds in Suffolk, wanted to encourage more women to join the 17-year-old goes to college in Colchester and said: "In my class it's actually a pretty good mix, but in the industry as a whole, it's definitely a big imbalance. "People need to realise the value of these industries, and we need to push more young people to go into it. It can be a bit inaccessible at the beginning, especially for young people, since working in these workshop environments can be quite dangerous." The first obstacle in the competition for Rugby man Sean, 18, was having to "scavenge" for the right tools to make a porch roof, having brought the wrong bigger issue for him, generally, was the lack of opportunities for young people. He said: "There's not enough apprenticeships - it took me two years to get here, and I feel like that's one of the biggest problems."The amount of houses they're trying to build; they definitely need more apprenticeships." A CITB report published this month said 19,750 new workers were needed in the Smith, from the CITB, said "we really need to make that attractive so that they know there are jobs for the future, secure opportunities and great career pathways".The figures suggest there is a long way to go before there is a gender balance in the to The Office for National Statistics, women comprise just 15.8% of the construction workforce and only 2% of workers is some hope, though, with the number of women as a proportion of the overall construction workforce increasing by 36.9% since government said construction would be one area to benefit from a "record-breaking £3bn apprenticeship budget". Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Forbes
a day ago
- Business
- Forbes
Career Change Tips for Teachers Ready to Pivot
There's a quiet exodus from American schools. Many teachers aren't just burned out—they're boxed in by a rigid, overloaded system that no longer matches their values: autonomy, impact, and growth. Many also face dwindling respect and, for too many, unsafe working conditions—both physically and psychologically. Dozens of teachers tell me they haven't lost their passion for teaching; instead, they've lost patience with a system that refuses to change. The good news? Teachers' skills—communication, leadership, instruction, adaptability—are exactly what industries like workforce development and instructional design, especially in programs like apprenticeship. As I've said before, 'jobs without people, people without jobs' sums up our workforce paradox. Teachers are the untapped talent pool employers claim they can't find. The problem isn't the work—it's the system: bureaucracy, safety risks, political pressure, and a lack of agency. More than 51,000 teachers left U.S. classrooms last year, and more than a third plan to leave within two years. Teachers are leaving their professions in record numbers. It's not about qualifications; it's about being tired of waiting for broken systems to change. A 2024 PhD study analyzing 116 public YouTube videos found that stress, workload, and lack of administrative support are the top reasons teachers leave. Hearing it straight from teachers themselves shows just how widespread and deeply felt these challenges are. Put simply, overwork and red tape are holding teachers back. Cut the bureaucracy, and you unlock their potential to help students thrive. Teachers bring more to the table than most entry-level hires: they're pros at instructional design, communicating under pressure, managing stakeholders, and assessing performance. They stay on top of fast-changing tech, hone people skills daily, adapt to adversity, and maintain a growth mindset—always ready to learn and evolve. These professionals manage risk, work to tight deadlines, instruct and assess others, and coordinate across teams in high-pressure environments. Many have taught outside their specialty, adapting on the fly. They don't need coaching on accountability—they need hiring managers who can recognize their potential. Teachers also get people—of every generation. Every day, they work with students from elementary school to high school, engage with Gen Alpha, Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, and even Boomers. They know how to adapt their approach for different ages, backgrounds, and learning gives teachers a real-world grasp of what makes each generation tick—an insight businesses need to navigate a multigenerational workforce. So, when teachers move into business, they bring the ability to engage and motivate across age groups, bridge generational gaps, and understand what drives today's—and tomorrow's—workforce. For employers, that's a huge asset. Teachers' generational know-how helps organizations design better training, build stronger teams, and connect with customers of all ages. That's the kind of real-world expertise businesses need to thrive in a rapidly changing world. Teachers Want More Than a Paycheck. They Want Purpose. Just look at any teacher group online—educators are searching for what's next. Burnout, shifting values, and the post-pandemic reset are pushing them to seek more than a paycheck: they want purpose, recognition, and real chances to grow. Too often, employers overlook teachers when hiring. Yet fields like career technical education, healthcare, renewable energy, IT, and apprenticeships are crying out for the skills teachers bring. Teachers' communication, leadership, and people skills make them naturals for building strong teams and positive workplaces. They're pivot-ready for roles in: In these positions, former teachers can draw on their experience to: Let's be honest: Teachers are pros at turning big ideas into hands-on learning that sticks. They blend theory and practice every day—that's the core of competency-based education, and it's exactly what makes apprenticeships and technical training succeed. Governments in the U.S. —and in countries like Australia—have recognized teachers as key to school-based apprenticeships and 'earn and learn' programs. If you want someone who knows how to build real-world skills and keep learners engaged, look no further than teachers. Transitioning teachers into your workforce doesn't require a new talent strategy — just better filters. Employers should focus on: Too many companies still overlook non-corporate résumés or assume 'tenure' means inflexibility. The truth? Teachers are resilient, fast learners, and want purpose-led workplaces, which is exactly what many organizations claim to offer. Hiring former teachers is a smart move. They bring emotional intelligence, systems thinking, and the ability to coach and lead under pressure. With most companies bracing for rapid, tech-driven change, these adaptable, mission-driven professionals are exactly what's needed. If you want to close skills gaps and build resilient teams, look to teachers—they're not after charity; they want a real challenge. With more than 85% of companies preparing for rapid, tech-driven change, teachers are exactly the kinds of adaptable, mission-driven professionals businesses need. To close skills gaps and build resilient teams, organizations need to look beyond traditional résumés and recognize the high-capacity talent teachers bring. They're not after handouts—just the opportunity to make a real impact. You can't close workforce gaps by ignoring people already halfway there. Stop searching for perfect résumés and start recognizing proven talent, teachers included.
CTV News
2 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Skills Canada National Competition takes place in Regina, enticing next generation of workers
The National Skills Trade Convention took place at the Real District in Regina on Thursday. (Damian Smith / CTV News) It was a big day for the skilled trades job sector on Thursday, as the National Skills Trade Convention took place at the Real District. Five hundred Canadians representing the 10 provinces and three territories made their way to compete in more than 40 skilled trades areas to be named best in the country. 'People probably know these common ones as occupations, such as a carpenter, a plumber, an electrician,' Skills Canada CEO Shaun Thorson said. 'But we also have a lot from the transportation sector, automotive service, car painting, and aircraft maintenance.' About 30 years old, this is the first time that the event has been hosted in Regina. Skills Canada is looking to market some of the best tradespeople from around the country, hoping to entice the future generations. According to Employment and Social Development Canada, about 700,000 of the four million Canadians who work in the trades are set to retire by the end of the decade. 'As you know, we have our journey, people in our trades, people phasing out and retiring,' said Alora Heinrich, the Youth Program Manager at Saskatchewan Apprenticeship. 'They're understanding that there's a big space open for a lot of them to enter into the trades.' 'So, we see a lot of youth becoming more interested and more encouraged and finding their passion in terms of that type of career,' she added. Some say there is still work to be done to encourage more youth to start their career in the skilled trades. 'There are still some challenges in trying to get to try and get people and engage young people in skilled trades,' Thorson said. 'Still, many of them are not aware of the opportunities that are available.' 'Ultimately we're trying to encourage all sorts of demographics that they're welcome and encouraged to join the trades because we are really, really pointing out that it's [a] necessary component in our day-to-day world and in our society,' Heinrich said. The second day will continue Friday from 9 p.m. to 5 p.m., with the closing ceremonies taking place on Saturday morning.
