A green light for green apprenticeships
24 Oct 2010 2:30pm
In last week's Comprehensive Spending Review, Chancellor George Osborne emphasised the importance of continued investment in the UK's low carbon economy. The Government also recently reaffirmed its commitment to apprenticeships, and stated its desire to make them more accessible to learners and businesses.
The NAC Group is involved in both these areas - training apprentices and supporting the growth of low carbon industries. We are especially pleased to announce that due to high levels of interest from young people and good take-up by businesses, we are boosting the number of apprenticeships that we have available from 100 to 174.
174 Green Apprentices will now be trained for work in the Region's expanding electric vehicle, lithium-ion battery and photo-voltaic industries by the end of February 2011. To date 60 unemployed young people have been recruited and are currently undergoing training.
NAC's innovative Green Apprenticeships are managed by its Green Collar Employment Solutions division. They are based on the successful apprenticeship programme developed and managed by the NAC Group in partnership with NMUK. This provides multi-skilled technicians for the automotive sector.
A new curriculum has been developed, which draws on World Class Japanese experience. Each apprenticeship lasts around 18 months, and provides an excellent opportunity for the young person to acquire the right mix of:
- Core manufacturing skills - including hand skills and the application of productivity improvement tools and techniques
- Practical and simulated production line experience
- Knowledge of sustainable development and enterprise - captured in the NAC Group's Green Collar Award
Paul Robson, Managing Director of the NAC Group, said "These green apprenticeships provide an excellent opportunity for young people, having relevant entry-level qualifications and demonstrating the required aptitude, to move into high quality jobs. They also underpin the growth of the Region's new low carbon industries on which our future prosperity depends."