The skills shortage in the engineering construction industry signals growth and potential for anyone seeking rewarding career opportunities.
Many employers are recognising the need to bring new talent into the industry and an apprenticeship is an excellent route to do so. Apprentices embark on a learning journey with support from an employer, however it can be a daunting and isolating prospect for many so they may require a bit more dedication and resources. Larger employers may have big HR teams while smaller employers may have a single HR person and managing apprentices’ requests and guiding them very closely on their journeys might be a task that might be beyond their scope. The ECIA member BGEN, one of the UK’s largest engineering companies specialising in mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, control and automation, has realised that attracting, nurturing and retaining apprentices is crucial for their business growth and they have therefore developed a different approach. In early 2024, BGEN employed Jenny Jackson in the role of a Training Officer of their Business Academy with full dedication and responsibility to apprentices. From the point of recruitment to ongoing progression review and career guidance, Jenny is on hand to lead and support every individual in a one-to-one manner.
Jenny ensures that apprentices complete their qualifications and move on to successful careers reassuring them that their time spent learning is rewarded and that they feel encouraged to remain with BGEN protecting their ROI.
Investing in an apprenticeship scheme and a dedicated HR member specifically might seem resource demanding however the reward for the business and the individual is justifiable. The apprenticeship-dedicated HR individual helps the apprentices to grow in confidence and gives them the reassurance they need to complete their apprenticeship and start a successful career in the engineering construction industry and within the company where they gained their qualification. Jenny believes that other employers in the engineering construction industry could adopt a similar approach to help attract new talent as well as train the next generation of workforce that we currently need.
Watch Jenny’s videos to find out more about the benefits her role brings to her employers as well as the industry.
