Polymer Training and Innovation Centre has announced it will be hosting an Apprenticeship Summit this January.
With mounting concerns that not enough young people are being trained to replace experienced employees as they retire, and feedback from industry indicating that the delivery of the Polymer Apprenticeship framework does not fully meet their needs, the Telford training centre has organised a summit for the 30th January.
Operations Manager Charmaine Bowers said: “As the economy improves, companies are looking to the future. Succession planning and apprenticeships should be at the forefront of business planning. “Apprenticeships are a great way to recruit new talent and ensure that your future workforce has the technical skills you need to keep pace with the latest developments in the sector – but the training programme needs to be flexible, accessible, fit for purpose and complemented by relevant industry training.
“Research shows that 83% of employers rely on their Apprenticeship programme to provide the skilled workers that they need for the future. It is vital that the polymer industry follows suite in order to reduce the widening skills gap. Currently though, the funding for the Polymer Apprenticeship framework is insufficient and undervalues the level of skills the industry requires in comparison to other sectors.” The event will be free to attend and is open to all employers with an interest in shaping the skill development of the Polymer industry workforce.
Members of PTIC and Cogent will be presenting at the summit, providing information on the current Polymer Apprenticeship framework and available funding. Attendees will be able to put forward their views on the existing framework and how it needs to be developed to meet their requirements.
For more information or to book a place please contact Charmaine at bowersc@wolvcoll.ac.uk
