The theme of National Apprenticeship Week 2018 is 'Apprenticeships Work', showcasing how apprenticeships work for individuals, employers, local communities and the wider economy.

BSRIA specifically offers engineering career routes suitable for individual aspirations. This may involve having a three or four month placement in BSRIA business units, prior to making a decision on a preferred specialisation route.

It is essential to remember that those who want to join the engineering industry can benefit greatly from this initiative, as an apprenticeship offers structured and more accessible opportunities. With courses funded by the government and the employer, apprentices earn while gaining valuable skills and profession. Moreover, the current apprenticeship framework offers a variety of qualifications, including degree apprenticeships and even MBA level apprenticeships.

BSRIA North – inspiring young people

June Davis, BSRIA North business manager, has become an enterprise advisor, attending her first training session on Friday January 26 to learn more about the role and engagement strategy, and to link up with other local advisers who have committed to the programme. 

Working with the Lancashire LEP, Lancashire Skills Hub, National Careers Service and other local education networks, BSRIA North is engaging with the Enterprise Advisor Network. The network is designed to match strategic leaders to schools and colleges across Lancashire and to work with the school’s leadership team to develop their approach to careers and enterprise, and ultimately increase the number of employer encounters that young people experience throughout the education journey.

Working with Preston Muslim Girls School, BSRIA attended their World of Work Day on Wednesday February 7. BSRIA also supported the network by attending a Careers Day at Eden Boys School Preston, where Ms Davis spoke to pupils about career pathways into engineering.

On Friday February 23, Ms Davis presented at the Central Lancashire Construction Skills Hub regarding the work BSRIA undertakes, to locally based construction-related employers.

BSRIA North will be exhibiting at the Lancashire Apprenticeship Expo on Tuesday March 13 at Preston Guild Hall.

Ms Davis said: “BSRIA is delighted to be supporting National Apprenticeship Week with these fantastic, relevant activities and initiatives. We support this initiative in a number of ways by hiring and training apprentices, engaging with young people, schools and wider community.

“With the housing industry set to receive £44bn in financial incentives to increase supply to 300,000 new homes a year by the mid-2020s, the biggest annual increase in housing supply since 1970, construction and engineering apprentices are crucial.

“Apprenticeships attract diverse talent and ensure industry is future proofed. They can deliver improved productivity, employee retention and bring new ideas and ways of working into the workplace.”

The spirit of NAW 2018 is channelled through BSRIA’s INSPIRE project, working with local schools, national and local politicians and the media to promote STEM and change perceptions. 

Finally, to celebrate the 2018 Year of Engineering, BSRIA is running a series of events and careers days with local schools and colleges to increase understanding among young people, their parents and teachers, of what engineers do.