A Swansea-based construction firm that has been running an apprenticeship programme for 20 years has added its support to National Apprenticeship Week.
Apprenticeship Week, March 14 - 18, celebrates the positive impact that apprenticeships have on individuals and businesses and recognises the benefits of apprentices to employers and the wider economy.
The value of apprenticeships has been recognised at John Weaver Contractors for more than two decades and the company has received the ‘Golden Ticket’ award for Apprentice Employer of the Year from the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB).
John Weaver Contractors’ Apprenticeship Programme is currently delivered in conjunction with both the CITB and the Youth Training Programme. Playing a key role in their strategy to encourage young people into the industry, the company currently employs six apprentices across the organisation and has taken on around 60 since it joined the programme.
Training manager, John Jones, said: “We recognise that the company’s direct workforce is fundamental to the continued success of the organisation and the industry as a whole.
“We need to ensure we have enough people coming in to fill key roles and to gain experience and develop from working alongside established project managers and tradespeople.”
Ahead of Apprenticeship Week, the Welsh Government is running a campaign to urge more businesses to consider apprenticeships for staff and is encouraging organisations of all sizes and across a range of sectors to support the recruitment of apprentices.
Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology, Julie James AM said: “I’m delighted that employers such as John Weaver Contractors share the Welsh Government’s commitment to training our future workforce.
"Apprenticeships represent one of the most practical, cost-effective ways that a business can build a skilled workforce. They learn the skills employers need to keep up with developments in their industry, enabling them to deliver the level of service that their clients demand.”
The Apprenticeship Programme is funded by the Welsh Government with the support of the European Social Fund.
If you’re interested in finding out more about taking on an apprentice and the benefits they can bring to your business, visit businesswales.gov.wales/skillsgateway or call 03000 603000.
