The utilities partnership Energy and Utility Skills has reaffirmed its commitment to apprenticeships, as industries and employers across the UK struggle with financial pressures.
The organisation, which amongst others includes waste management companies FCC Environment and Viridor as members, says it will continue to invest in apprentices amid reports many employers have been forced to pause or end their programmes.
Energy and Utility Skills has reaffirmed its commitment to apprenticeships
Nick Ellins, chief executive of Energy and Utility Skills, said: “Today’s announcement is no quick pledge.
“The Energy and Utilities Skills Partnership has set out to make a positive difference to society and is making clear that its long history of investing in apprenticeships remains firm, with employment through this approach continuing to be a key part of utility workforce strategy.
“We are working together to create an inclusive culture, employ apprentices and build a diverse and sustainable workforce in a sector that is now openly recognised as a critical industry; pivotal to society, to the future of the economy and to solving the environmental crisis.”
“Today’s announcement is no quick pledge”
Energy and Utility Skills says more than 8,000 people across the UK began apprenticeships in its sector in 2018-19.
Strategy
The organisation’s announcement follows the launch of its five-year strategy last month, which sets out how its members will tackle the 277,000 vacancies they expect across the sector during the next ten years.
The partnership launched a platform in January called ‘Energy & Utilities Jobs’ to attract more people to the industry.
Since its launch, the virtual initiative has reached more than 8.5 million potential employees and offered more than 500 jobs per month, Energy and Utility Skills says. More than 52% of the inquiries made on the platform in 2020 were by women, the organisation says, a figure that rose to 67% in May.
Recycling Technologies
Meanwhile, Swindon-based plastic recycling company Recycling Technologies announced on 2 July it had hired seven apprentices. They join the business from automotive company Honda, which plans to close its Swindon plant next year.
“These apprentices are integral to our future”
Having partnered with Swindon College, Recycling Technologies says the apprentices will join the company’s scheme to develop their technical, academic and engineering skills.
Dale Rautenbach, manufacturing director at Recycling Technologies, said: “These apprentices are integral to our future and the development of a skilled workforce allows us to manufacture our specialist plastic recycling machinery from our base in Swindon.”
Recycling Technologies announced it was to close its demonstration-scale plant at its Cheney Manor site temporarily in light of the coronavirus pandemic in April (see letsrecycle.com story).
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Source: letsrecycle.com Plastic
