Apprenticeships in the Building Services Engineering Sector

Young people who chose a career in the building services engineering sector via a vocational Advanced Apprenticeship (AA) are finding that their skills are in high demand. The diverse nature of an apprenticeship can appeal to women as it offers a challenging alternative to more traditional female jobs. Increasingly, therefore, young women are finding that a vocational qualification that leads to a skilled trade, like the AA, can be worth more than a university degree.

JTL, the leading training provider to the building services engineering sector, offers Advanced Apprenticeships in electrical installation, plumbing and engineering maintenance. Open to young people between the ages of 16 to 24, the Advanced Apprenticeship is an ideal entry route into the sector, allowing apprentices to develop practical on-the-job experience, ‘earn as they learn’ and achieve a highly regarded qualification. As for the future, the knowledge and experience gained from an apprenticeship can lead to supervisory and management roles, owning your own company and many other exciting opportunities.

One young woman, Sarah Blackshaw, was keen to become a qualified plumber. Sarah, employed by Leicester City Council, has embarked upon the four year Advanced Apprenticeship with JTL and is now in the third year. Before starting the plumbing apprenticeship, Sarah was at college and completed a Horse Studies National Diploma.  She worked in sales for three years, before becoming a civil servant.  “I actually found out about the JTL apprenticeship when I was working at the Jobcentre. I found it for a client and it sounded really interesting, so I decided to go for it,” she commented.

Sarah added: “My working life has changed beyond belief and I have absolutely no regrets.  My week is spent predominantly on site, with one day a week at college. I really like the way I get the best of both worlds with the practical ‘hands on’ experience allowing me to put all of the theory I learn at college into practice.

“As for being a woman in a predominantly male environment, it has never been a problem and I feel that my peers, and my employer, have been very accepting, treating me as an individual.

“Although some people have yet to overcome the stereotyping, and still consider plumbing to be a ‘man’s’ job, most are very positive and many think that what I’m doing is fantastic - especially as all they really want is more good plumbers, regardless of their sex!”

Apprenticeship Training - The Facts

JTL offers Advanced Apprenticeships in electrical installation and plumbing and mechanical engineering services.

The training schemes delivered by JTL are fully approved by both the industry and Government and lead to National Vocational Qualifications at Level 3 and recognition by the industry as a qualified electrician, plumber, gas or heating and ventilating fitter. The scheme also includes the relevant Key Skills. An apprenticeship takes approximately four years to complete and is divided between attending college for the theory elements and gaining practical experience on-site with the employer.

Advanced Apprenticeships offer many benefits to young people including:

• Training leads to a skilled career – qualified electricians and plumbers will always be in demand.
• Work based training – gaining on-the-job experience.
• Apprentices earn while they learn – full employment status with all the benefits and rewards that brings.
• Independence comes with earning a wage.
• Apprentices achieve an NVQ Level 3 – a nationally recognised qualification.
• Excellent career prospects in the industry with opportunities in supervisory and management roles or maybe their own company.
• Open to all people between the ages of 16 to 24 irrespective of gender, ethnicity or religion.

Interview with an apprentice - Danielle Nicholson - second year JTL plumbing apprentice with South Lakes Housing;

“After deciding to pursue a career in the building services engineering sector, I started ringing round looking for a college placement and an employer, but had no luck at all. Then I got in touch with JTL and my Training Officer, Dave. JTL helped me find an employer and a college place.

“I would say that there are a number of benefits of doing an Advanced Apprenticeship. One of the main things for me is that I get to earn and learn at the same time.  By the time I complete my apprenticeship, which should take a total of four years, I will be a fully qualified plumber - recognised by both the Government and the industry - and will also be Corgi registered. The qualification I’ll have at the end is the NVQ Level 3.  If I want to I can use this to get me onto higher courses - such as an HND (Higher National Diploma) or a degree.

Young people interested in a JTL Advanced Apprenticeship, should ring free phone 0800 0852308 and request an application pack or e-mail enquiries@jtlimited.co.uk Further information can also be gained by accessing www.jtlimited.co.uk