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Apprentices helping to build a future
INSPIRATION ... apprentice plumber Joe Hockings talks to students at Hebburn Comprehensive School.
APPRENTICES are helping to spark interest in a construction career among pupils.
South Tyneside Homes (STH) apprentice electrician Drew Adamson, 20, and 17-year-old apprentice plumber Joe Hockings spent time with Year nine students at Hebburn Comprehensive School.
They offered help and advice on applying for apprenticeships with the property services team.
The in-house team is responsible for maintaining and improving more than 18,000 council homes in South Tyneside, including delivering parts of the Decent Homes Programme.
During the school workshops, the apprentices and other representatives from STH spoke to the group about the qualifications they would need to apply for an apprenticeship and the different career paths available.
The students also tried their hand at working on an electrical socket and some pipework.
South Tyneside Homes is one of the UK’s Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers and offer apprenticeships in five main trade areas – plastering, plumbing and gas fitting, joinery, painting and electrical.
Apprentices attend college on a day or block release to work towards an NVQ Level 3 in their trade. They also work alongside experienced members of the team to learn skills on the job.
Mark Whittle, director of investment at South Tyneside Homes, said: “We are extremely proud of our award-winning apprenticeship programme and over the past six years we have trained 80 young people in the different trade areas.
“We are committed to trying to recruit our future apprentices from within South Tyneside, and the event at Hebburn Comprehensive School gave us the opportunity to promote the fantastic career prospects and training we can offer to the workforce of tomorrow.”
Annette Spark, careers education co-ordinator at Hebburn Comprehensive School, said: “We always try to make sure pupils gain the required knowledge that will allow them to choose their correct careers pathway. This workshop has allowed them to work closely with local businesses to help motivate them with their decision.”
Twitter: @ShieldsGazVez
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Wednesday 23 May 2012
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