C.K Tools is investing in the workers of tomorrow with its Bright Sparks programme.
National Apprenticeship Week 2016 runs from 14th to 18th March 2016, designed to celebrate apprenticeships and the positive impact they have on individuals, businesses and the wider economy. Within the construction industry in particular, a growing demand for skills and staff means more should be done to encourage the next generation to pursue an apprenticeship.
One in five construction workers are aged over 55, and are preparing for retirement; it’s therefore crucial that the new generation of workers are trained sufficiently, in order to fill the skills gap and respond to the demands of the job.
Without trade apprenticeships, the construction skills shortage could reach crisis point and the Government won’t be able to deliver its ambitious housing and infrastructure target, which is to build 400,000 ‘affordable’ homes by 2020.
Furthermore, according to research by totaljobs.com, 15 per cent of entry-level recruitment candidates are jobless a year after finishing their studies or training.
However, among those who had completed trade apprenticeship, just five per cent were unemployed, far less than the number of unemployed graduates. This shows the trade sector’s positive approach towards taking on vocational workers, resulting in a higher level of employment for apprentices.
One company leading the way for apprentices is hand tools provider, C.K tools. Since 2003, C.K tools has been helping to develop bright ‘sparkies’ of the future via its C.K Bright Sparks programme.
The programme, for trainee electricians, was established to help support and promote vocational education programmes as an attractive option and a viable career path, and to date has supported over 22,500 apprentice electricians as part of its initiative.
The company now provides 60 colleges and universities across the UK with a bursary and a selection of quality tools to use while training, helping to ensure the future development of professionals within the industry, while also promoting the use of the safest and best quality hand tools.
Paul Fallon, marketing manager at C.K tools, says: “National Apprenticeship Week will celebrate the positive impact that both apprenticeships and traineeships have on the economy and this is something that C.K tools fully supports.
“By providing quality equipment and training for apprentices, we are supporting tradesmen in their careers and helping the construction industry continue to grow. We may also see the emergence of a better-qualified young workforce and also a more motivated workforce, thanks to the extra investment. This is particularly important if you consider that more than 400,000 people in construction are set to retire in the next five – 10 years.
“We hope that National Apprenticeship Week helps people to realise the potential of undertaking a trade apprentice and encourages more construction companies to commit to nurturing young talent.”