VIDEO | How can the construction industry rethink apprenticeships?

Education and industry professionals came together during National Apprenticeship Week to explore how to improve apprenticeship programmes to increase diversity and address skills gaps in a fruitful roundtable discussion hosted by the City of Liverpool College.

The roundtable was a timely and candid discussion that emphasises the benefits that come when educators and practitioners work together to train the future workforce – a conversation that is even more important as Colleges Week draws near to a close.

Participants

• Michele Steel, chief executive at Regeneration Brainery
• Julie Baker, social value manager at Keepmoat
• Michelle Eager, business development manager at Krol Corlett
• Gill Roberts, social value manager at Morgan Sindall Construction
• Jim Johnson, North West regional manager at ECA
• Peter Sandman, commercial director at City of Liverpool College
• Colin Salmon, director of work-based learning and STEM at City of Liverpool College

Key talking points

A lack of apprenticeship opportunities was brought up again and again. Part of the issue is the bureaucracy bringing on an apprenticeship entails. That’s where colleges like City of Liverpool College can help. They stressed that they can assist with apprenticeship recruitment and alleviate some of those paperwork frustrations.

Working with colleges can also bring forward a more diverse set of apprentices than when contractors recruit based on their existing networks. This was mentioned as one of the main issues the industry needs to address.

Apprentices also need to be schooled on the basics – with many in the room agreeing that employability skills such as arriving on time can trump more technical knowledge when it comes to hiring.

The discussion also delved into what the skills needed for the future will be, with a stress on renewable energy. Courses that help professionals upskill are going to be needed as we shift more and more to a green economy.

You can hear highlights from the roundtable in the video at the top of this article, as well as on the Place North West YouTube channel.  Learn more about City of Liverpool College at liv-coll.ac.uk.