Apprentice of the year Tom Scott, front, and behind, runners-up, left to right, Sam Wells, Annette Falla, Ben Hewlett, Hugo Gouveia and Jenny Hall. (Picture by Peter Frankland, 0452808)
APPRENTICESHIPS play an important role in ensuring the workforce of the future by producing qualified tradesmen and women, according to the College of Further Education.
Every year more than 120 school leavers and mature applicants start an apprenticeship and at any given time there are at least 350 actively training.
Success stories include progression to degree level, becoming project managers or site foremen, owning their own businesses and travelling the world to develop their skills.
Apprenticeship scheme manager Alma Harradine said trainees were treated as employees. ‘Work is a large part of life and if you get it right, then every working day has something to offer,’ she said.
‘Importantly, on apprenticeships you also get paid a salary while you train.’
Trades on offer include all of the construction ones, architecture and surveying, a broad range of engineering options, motor vehicle engineering and vehicle body repair, jewellery-making, hairdressing and catering.
There are no set criteria for entry into the scheme and most apprenticeships are NVQ or City & Guilds accredited.
Most of the training is provided by the college on day release from the workplace although some specialist areas require off-island training.
In June each year, the apprentice-of-the-year awards ceremony is held to highlight a selection of trainees who have excelled in their chosen career.
‘Last year’s ceremony saw six shortlisted nominees create a major problem for the judges as they were all excellent, passionate about what they do, model apprentices with excellent attitudes to their chosen careers,’ said Mrs Harradine.
The winner was Tom Scott, who is in his fourth year of a fabrication and welding apprenticeship at Turx Custom Workshop.
Annette Falla, Ben Hewlett, Jenny Hall, Hugo Gouveia and Sam Wells were runners-up.
Mr Scott said he would recommend the scheme to anyone.
‘I’ve come a long way since I started and I’m happy that I chose such a brilliant career,’ he said. ‘I’d like to pay tribute to my tutors without whom I wouldn’t have been put forward for the award.’
Article posted on 4th March, 2008 - 2.30pm
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