Setting Out - Wates' Apprenticeship scheme

Wates are committed to providing a skilled future industry workforce through high quality work based training programmes, and our bespoke Apprenticeship Programme "Setting Out" demonstrates our commitment to boosting skills and raising the opportunities for employability in areas where we work and live. By offering apprenticeships annually, through the Wates Group and our Supply chain, we are bridging the skills gap and ensuring the sustainability of key trades for decades to come.

“Setting Out” follows a structured programme from recruitment, managing performance and development to enable our apprentices to have a valuable insight and learning experience within the construction industry.

Apprentices are prominent more now than ever. The government are generating a greater awareness of opportunities that apprenticeships give businesses. Wates believe that apprentices do not just form a key part of our business, but we actively encourage our partners and supply chain to develop the same approach as us. Wates have our own Apprentice Advisor, who ensures that we understand the right employability solutions for the needs of the business; liaises with local colleges and training providers; organises recruitment events; and reviews the performance of our apprentices once they have begun in their role. We want to develop our apprentices and give them the skills they will require for their careers.

BENEFITS OF AN APPRENTICESHIP

• Learn through practical hands-on experience
• Gain National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) at a recognised college
• Receive dedicated mentoring from a practicing industry professional
• Excellent employment prospects at the completion of the course
• Have doors opened to a diverse range of career paths
• Develop into a future team leader or manager

Many of Wates’ Site and Project Managers came through a successful apprenticeship program.

WORKING FOR WATES
Accredited as an Investor in People, Wates has a clear and structured approach to training and development. Apprentices make up 10% of the company’s Hourly Paid workforce

covering not only construction based apprenticeships including joinery, plumbing , plastering and painting and decorating, but we have recently broadened our range of apprenticeships and have taken on roles to include Business Administration and Customer Service.

We believe that committing to training local people provides the best solutions for achieving a skilled workforce. For example, to reinforce this ethos, some of our apprentices are working as complete teams in void properties in their region to hone their skills as part of their training.

Apprentices are making an important contribution to an innovative refurbishment project at the Building Research Establishment’s Housing Innovation Park, Watford. Four joinery apprentices are helping to reconstruct the original clock tower positioned over the training centre that Wates is developing.

SUCCESS STORY
James has been an apprentice plumber for Wates for three years, and is in his final year at Croydon College. James was taken on originally through a Framework Agreement with Peabody Trust - one of London's oldest housing associations. James has made excellent progress throughout the apprenticeship programme, with top marks in his exams and excellent course work. James also attended a Construction Skills Ambassador Course which

taught him presentation skills enabling him to give talks and encourage those who are interested in a career in construction.

James said the option to learn and earn was necessary for him. “I have really enjoyed the experience of working on a variety of projects from the tight security of prisons, working in resident’s properties installing boilers, and even the mucky jobs of clearing out the drains,” he said.

On completion of his apprenticeship, James has been offered a job by the sub-contractor he has been working for who has been extremely impressed by his work.

Categories:

Tags: apprentices, apprenticeships