We face challenges in training and developing sufficient skills to meet the needs of the engineering construction industry as a whole. The apprenticeship path is one of the most adopted approaches to how companies could nurture young workers from their early years whilst securing the future generation of the workforce. With the potential for growth in hydrogen and carbon capture in the Northeast, the ECIA member Laker Vent Engineering realised that their presence in the area would secure their desire to expand. Attracting the young workforce as a new entrant to the market proves challenging even in Teesside, which is historically prompted by the skilled workforce. The next generation seeks diverse employment opportunities, and attracting them to careers in the engineering or construction industry is not an easy task.
Laker Vent have been present at various projects and sites in & around the Teesside area for over two decades. As their journey of growth and development picked up pace around 2018 this gave them the confidence to commit to local employment and opening an office there. Having secured enough experienced and skilled staff meant that they could focus on investment in a younger generation of engineers offering long-term secure positions with development opportunities.
Laker Vent already has a strong presence in the Northwest. “Our experience from the Northwest was that the best path was to initially approach primary stakeholders before speaking to colleges or job or training centres. We knew that if we asked around, there would be family members or acquaintances who would know of someone interested in learning the skill trade whilst studying” explains Tom Ventre, Laker Vent Managing Director.
This approach has paid off in the Northeast too and “starting small” we have employed two young apprentice engineers who were local to the area”, expands Tom on their journey.
The team now has a secure local base with an experienced workforce passing on expertise and skills to young people in trade as well as white-collar trainees such as surveyors.
Tom adds: “To develop the next generation of workforce, especially when expanding into new markets, the ECIA members should work collaboratively by sharing contacts and scholarship opportunities within colleges. That way we can establish a larger labour pool of apprentices giving the younger people the opportunity to enter the industry”.
