Latest news with #apprenticeships
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Meet the jobs matchmaker filling roles at Sizewell C
Stuart Allsopp has met hundreds of local job seekers over the last year. As Jobs Service lead at Sizewell C, he's one of the team responsible for making sure that opportunities at the project are matched up with people in the local area. 'There is a massive appetite for jobs in this region, and people are coming out to our Sizewell C jobs fair in big numbers,' said Stuart. 'My role is all about trying to deliver those jobs to people, to connect them with the best opportunities for them. It's what I love doing.' Sizewell C offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity for jobs and careers in this region. Of the 1,500 apprenticeships the project is creating, 540 will go to local people. At least a third of the 7,900 jobs on offer during the peak of construction will go to people in this region. And once constructed, the power station will employ 900 people in highly skilled, well-paid jobs. 'We've got to make sure people are aware of the thousands of opportunities on offer,' said Stuart. 'And that means going out and putting the opportunities in front of them.' READ MORE: How Sizewell C is aiming to provide world-class wellbeing support Sizewell C has so far run jobs fairs in Leiston, Lowestoft and Ipswich, with a second jobs fair in each town to come later in the year. 'We signed jobs pledges with Jack Abbott MP in Ipswich and Jess Asato MP in Lowestoft, so these jobs fairs are one way we're delivering on those pledges. And we've already seen so many good news stories coming out of these events – of local people linking up with new jobs, either directly on the project or with one of the businesses in our supply chain. Engineering apprentices at Sizewell C (Image: Sizewell C) 'It's such a satisfying feeling when you can match up someone with a job – that's no small thing, that's about improving people's lives. And that is happening on an ever-increasing scale because of this project. It's amazing.' As well as jobs fairs and local advertising, the Sizewell C Jobs Service has been a successful way of making people aware of all the opportunities available. 'We want to make it easy for people and the Jobs Service does that. People can sign up on our website to get notifications of the latest opportunities – and we put all our vacancies on the website too, both roles directly with us and with our supply chain partners. There are well over a hundred opportunities live on the website at any one time.' READ MORE: How Sizewell C is bringing hydrogen buses to Suffolk Last week, Sizewell C announced that it was taking transformative steps to develop the skilled workforce it needs to build the power station: it's set to build a new post-16 college for Leiston, in partnership with Suffolk New College, as well as an apprenticeship and trainee hub to support hundreds of Sizewell C apprentices, and a Centre of Excellence focused on developing skills in civils, mechanical, electrical, welding and more. 'It's going to be phenomenal,' said Stuart. 'The difference it will make to young people in the Leiston area is difficult to overestimate – having those facilities on their doorstep will mean hundreds of young people can get the training, the skills, and the career pathways they want, without having to do an hour and half trip to a college out of town. The Jobs Service is a great way of keeping up to date with opportunities on the project (Image: Sizewell C) 'In the short term, that means an even bigger pool of local talent for me to match up with roles here at Sizewell C. In the longer term, it means we can develop the skills and retain those skills for Suffolk here well into the future – it's a legacy in the truest meaning of the word.' READ MORE: How Sizewell C is restoring Suffolk's Sandlings landscape The next jobs fair is in Ipswich in August, and Stuart is expecting hundreds more people to come along as jobs on the project continue to increase. 'We had over a thousand people on site at the start of the year and we expect double that by the end of the year. We've got over 60 apprentices already and we expect to double that by the end of the year too. 'There is the supply of jobs to meet the clear demand we're seeing across the region – and this will have a positive ripple effect across our local economies. It's a joy to be involved in.' For more information, visit This article is part of the EADT's Clean & Green campaign, which aims to promote our region as the biggest in the UK and Europe for all forms of renewable energy.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
South West to benefit from radical skills reforms
The South West is set to benefit from radical skills reforms aimed at boosting economic growth and creating opportunities for young people. The government has confirmed up to £25 million for Skills Bootcamps in the region, as part of a national effort to reduce reliance on migrant labour. This comes alongside new data showing that 1,120 more apprentices will qualify in the South West each year, thanks to changes in English and maths requirements for adult apprentices. Read more: Building 700 homes at old golf course 'best option' for the area The reforms are part of a wider initiative to create 120,000 new training opportunities across England, focusing on areas such as construction and healthcare. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: "A skilled workforce is the key to steering the economy forward, and today we're backing the next generation by giving young people more opportunities to learn a trade, earn a wage and achieve and thrive." The government is also set to implement a 32 per cent increase in the Immigration Skills Charge, which will deliver up to 45,000 additional training places to upskill the domestic workforce. Milton Walcott, HSEQ Manager at Complete Fixing Solutions Ltd, said: "I am excited to see the government's focus on expanding apprenticeships and skills training for young people. "The emphasis on getting more 16-18-year-olds into work-based learning is particularly important." The reforms come in response to a significant drop in the number of apprenticeship starts over the last decade, and recent statistics showing that one in eight 16-24 year olds are not in employment, education, or training. Sarah Yong, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at Youth Futures Foundation, said: "With stubbornly high youth unemployment and inactivity, rebalancing the apprenticeship system can encourage investment in youth apprenticeships and is a first step in enabling more young people to access good work." Read more: Wedding venue can continue to host events after planning appeal The government is also investing in teacher recruitment in further education, with around 6,000 teachers receiving Targeted Retention Incentive payments last year. This is part of a push to recruit 6,500 new teachers in schools and colleges across England. The reforms are a vital step in delivering the government's Plan for Change, which aims to address skills shortages and create better opportunities for young people and adults across England. Stephen Wilde, Managing Director at Southbourne Rubber Ltd, said: "This is a bold and vital step forward in building real opportunities for young people and adults to build skills that matter in industries that shape our future."
The Sun
4 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Get your career on track as rail firms offer 2,000 apprenticeships in industry jobs boom
HELP Britain keep on the move with a new career on our railways. This year marks the 200th anniversary of the modern railway and it's one of the few sectors that can still offer a solid job for life. 3 However, as the network modernises and embraces new tech, it also needs pioneering talent to keep trains rolling into the next century and beyond. To celebrate the bicentenary and attract new staff, the nation's rail firms have launched the Railway 200 campaign. Championing railway careers, it is offering 2,000 apprenticeships this year and a further 8,000 by the end of the decade. Jacqueline Starr, chief executive of Rail Delivery Group, which represents operators, said: 'Apprenticeships provide a fantastic opportunity for people to start their careers in a variety of roles in rail. 'The rail industry plays a vital role in connecting communities and supporting the economy, and we need a diverse range of skills and perspectives to create the workforce of the future. 'As we celebrate the railway's rich heritage, we're looking to the future, investing in our people to help us deliver the high-quality, innovative service that passengers expect.' The apprenticeships on offer range from one to four-year schemes and are open to people from all backgrounds and ages, whether entering the workplace for the first time or looking to retrain in a career move. There are positions with employers nationwide and across the rail industry, including Network Rail, train and freight operators, manufacturers and the rail supply chain. The jobs span engineering to finance, train driving to sustainability, and IT to human resources, customer service and operations. Bosses are seeking to recruit more women, people from ethnic minorities and those with neurodiversity. How train driver skipped uni to earn £50,000 Neil Robertson, chief executive of the National Skills Academy for Rail added: 'These are good apprenticeships, mostly in skills-shortage disciplines, that are recognised all around the world. 'We are looking for committed people from a wide range of backgrounds to fill them.' For more, see TRACK TO THE FUTURE HOLLY Hardy Johnson spent 20 years as a zookeeper, looking after penguins and other birds and lecturing at a specialist college, before joining the rail industry as a learning and development trainer with Avanti West Coast. The 40-year-old from Nantwich, Cheshire, recently completed a Level 5 operation management leadership apprenticeship. She said: 'I've always had a passion for lifelong learning and joining the railway appealed to me as a career move – despite feeling scary. "I was able to transfer the knowledge and experience I gained as a lecturer teaching young people and adults to train new staff joining the railway. 'Now, I specialise in sustainability, inclusion, first-aid and safeguarding. 'My focus on delivering quality and project management means I have had the opportunity to work with organisations across the industry, including the British Transport Police and Network Rail. 'We strive to give the best training to our people, which in turn means we can help our customers and the planet.' BE STEP AHEAD OF JOB SHED 3 ONE in four employers plan to make redundancies in the next three months, so if you fear your job may be at risk it makes sense to prepare now. As CEO of training and careers support specialist Mona Mourshed has supported thousands of people to switch careers. Here she shares her expert advice to become redundancy ready. 1. Invest in your network. Think about who you already know working in the sectors you have your eye on and build those relationships – even when there isn't a job on the table. Don't know anyone in the space you want to work? Find events or online communities that can expand your network. 2. Know your priorities, flex on the rest. Make a list of everything you want then hone it down to only the most important things. In a tough job market, you need to be willing to flex on your nice-to-haves. 3. Think in terms of career stepping-stones. Your next role might not be your dream job but perhaps it can get you one step closer to it. You need to be thoughtful about how you can gain the skills and experiences that will move you closer to your long-term goals. 4. Do more than expected. Standing out is hard in a crowded field but, with the fast pace of change in the current labour market, there are opportunities for you to demonstrate your ambition. Raise your hand for new projects, bolster your skills through training and master new tools. 5. Stay the course. In a tough market, you'll need to apply to many more jobs than you would otherwise. Even though this process can be discouraging, put in the work and find ways to keep your spirits up until your efforts pay off. 6. Colleagues are as important as the role. Your new work colleagues and your manager will play a substantial part in making the job a positive working and learning experience – or not! Select your new role based on both the people you will be working with on a daily basis and on the job opportunity itself. CVs STRAIGHT IN BIN ONE in two job applications get thrown out immediately, a new study has revealed. With recruiters receiving an average of 22 applications for every vacancy, 11 are screened out immediately. A further six then fail at a phone-call stage, leaving just five to land an interview proper, research from employment search site Totaljobs reports. The most common reason to reject an applicant at first base was a lack of relevant skills, followed by no work experience. But a third of employers had seen enough after applications were poorly presented. Spokeswoman Natalie Matalon said: 'Candidates greatly improve their chances by ensuring skills and experience align with the role. Detail matters.' SO HOT TO TROT 3 MORE than half of office workers admit leaving work earlier during the summer months. Friday is the most popular day for pulling the so-called summer sneak, with a third of employees confessing to bunking off before time without telling their boss. Two in five have called in sick to attend social events at this time of year, while 45 per cent lengthen lunch hours to take advantage of the warmer weather, a report from human-resources platform Dayforce reveals. A spokesman suggests: 'For organisations looking to minimise summertime sneaking, create a culture where people feel empowered to take the time off they need.'
The Independent
5 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
The changes to apprenticeships in construction, engineering, and healthcare
The government plans to create 120,000 new apprenticeship and training opportunities in England before the next general election, focusing on sectors like construction, engineering, and healthcare, to bolster the workforce and reduce reliance on migrant workers. Funding for up to 45,000 training places will be sourced by increasing the Immigration Skills Charge paid by employers recruiting from overseas by one-third. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson emphasised the importance of this investment in skills for young people, highlighting its role in driving the economy forward and creating opportunities. From January 2026, funding will shift away from masters-level apprenticeships to focus on lower-level training, while support will be maintained for those aged 16-21 and existing apprentices. The Law Society has urged the Government to continue funding masters-level apprenticeships for those over 21, while Shadow Education Minister Neil O'Brien warned that scrapping higher apprenticeships will damage public services and limit access to professions for young people not attending university.
Auto Express
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Auto Express
Can't find someone to fix your car? It could be down to declining motor apprenticeships
Experts have warned that a decline in the number of young people applying for automotive-related apprenticeships and qualifications could lead to a 'perfect storm' in which drivers may be unable to find a skilled technician to work on their car as the UK's motorparc continues to grow. The latest Automotive Education Report from the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) reveals that in the final quarter of 2024, automotive qualifications dipped by four per cent year-on-year. This is at odds with a six per cent rise in the number of vocational technical certifications overall and reflects what the IMI describes as a 'longer-term slowdown' in talent filtering into the sector. Advertisement - Article continues below The slump in the number of qualifications issued has continued into 2025, and the first half of the 2024/25 academic year (September-March) has seen a three per cent overall drop year-on-year in automotive apprenticeship starts. All of this might seem trivial, but the IMI's head of research for careers and inclusion, Emma Carrigy, said: 'With the number of vehicles on UK roads rising, and the number of technicians training to repair and maintain them falling, UK motorists face an increasing risk of being unable to find someone qualified to properly look after their car'. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below Carrigy said such a scenario is 'creating a perfect storm for UK road safety'; fewer available technicians means owners are more likely to drive around in damaged and potentially dangerous cars. So what's going on? Well, the IMI says that the main drops in technical qualifications lie in the areas of mechanical, electrical and trim (MET), as well as accident repair. Conversely, the majority of focus now appears to be on EV training, with electric and hybrid car qualifications making up almost half (44 per cent) of certifications in the final three months of last year. That said, the total number of EV qualifications fell by six per cent in 2024 compared with 2023, which is far from ideal when you consider the significant number of new EVs hitting the roads. Garages are now also subject to the recent increase in National Insurance contributions, meaning fewer are able to find the funds to employ more technicians. Things are made even worse by sky-high energy and equipment prices, which ultimately places car maintenance firms under further strain and at the risk of closure. Things could be set to improve, however, because the Government recently announced a shake-up to its funding for training schemes; Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson MP said that there will soon be as many as 120,000 new apprenticeship and training opportunities across all sectors before the next general election – which is crucial, given that IMI figures suggest firms are currently focusing on upskilling existing staff, rather than employing and training new personnel. Our Car Tax Checker tool lets you check your tax status and renewal date in seconds. Check your VED car tax now... Find a car with the experts It's only a matter of time before Jaguar Land Rover builds a factory in the USA It's only a matter of time before Jaguar Land Rover builds a factory in the USA Mike Rutherford thinks Jaguar's 'Reimagine' strategy will result in the company exploring further opportunities in the USA Slow death of the manual car revealed in exclusive new data Slow death of the manual car revealed in exclusive new data There are now very few manual cars available to buy, a trend that's been exacerbated by the rise of EVs Car Deal of the Day: Nissan's X-Trail is a do-it-all seven-seat hybrid SUV for only £235 a month Car Deal of the Day: Nissan's X-Trail is a do-it-all seven-seat hybrid SUV for only £235 a month If the Qashqai is too small for you, then the larger X-Trail is a fine alternative. It's our Deal of the Day for 25 May
