Ideal Standard is funding a new UK apprenticeship scheme to support the next generation of plumbers.
Working with the Bathroom Manufacturers Association (BMA), the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE), and design education body FIESTA, we are aiming to address the plumbing industry’s skills gap and attract much-needed new talent into the sector.
The scheme comes at a time when plumbing apprenticeships have been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, with one in 10 apprentices losing their job.
Ideal Standard will provide funding for a number of apprenticeship positions offered by businesses within the CIPHE network to help young people gain the knowledge, skills and experience to begin a career in plumbing.
We will also work with colleges to set the standard for training, ensuring that apprentices are fully equipped to succeed in the trade, as well as providing hands-on support for local apprenticeships going through the scheme around our sites in Hull, Armitage and London.
The scheme uses funding from the Government’s Apprenticeship Levy and Ideal Standard is gifting a proportion of its share of this fund to provide financial support to smaller companies so they can take on an apprentice at this challenging time.
Managing Director Dave Barber said: “This scheme is the first of its kind within the industry. It’s an incredibly exciting opportunity to lead the way in investing in young talent and apprentices as they begin their careers in the plumbing and heating industry.
“I hope that other organisations will see the benefits of the scheme and get involved in supporting our future plumbers.”
As well as supporting our industry outside the business, we have also been able to support the development of our own employees using funds from the Apprenticeship Levy, which is effectively a tax paid by larger businesses, including Ideal Standard, which is then distributed to fund apprenticeships.
Recruitment Business Partner Adam Holden is working towards a Level Five Diploma with the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development (CIPD).
He said: “You think of apprenticeships as being something you do straight after school but the fact is you can use this to do an apprenticeship which is a really good professional qualification as well.
“For me, my specialism has been in recruitment but I’ve picked up general HR skills over the years and this qualification confirms that I have the formal skills to do the job.
“It opens up so many avenues and I’m grateful to have the chance to do it through the levy.”
Business Development Executive Mustafa Rahman has completed the Level Three Chartered Management Institute Diploma In Leadership and Management, also funded through the levy.
He said: I think having an apprenticeship gives people the confidence of going for roles that they wouldn’t go for normally.
“One of the benefits is definitely learning on the job and getting to know the company over time.
“If you show eagerness and willingness to learning, you get the opportunities and I think that’s the benefit.”
Colleagues are asked to share news of the scheme, such as this CIPHE LinkedIn post and this KBBFocus article, through their professional networks.