The JR Group plans to celebrate National Apprenticeship Week (29 February to 4 March) by extending its commitment to supporting careers in the industry and helping to bridge the sector skills gap.

In the last ten years the Paisley based company has recruited ten apprentices to its programme which it operates in partnership with the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) based in Inchinnan.

Recognising the need for mentors with job experience to compliment new people coming into the industry, the Group has also recruited a number of adult apprentices including 42 year old Phil O’Hara who recently started work with the company as an apprentice scaffolder.

John Jack, Contracts Manager, said, “Traditionally we think of young people starting out as apprentices but there’s also a need for people with employment experience, whatever their previous trade, to come into the business and an apprenticeship is an ideal vehicle to do that.

“As well as enjoying learning on the job, our apprentices attend college and do a lot of class based learning in partnership with the CITB so they receive specialist industry qualifications as well at the end of their two year training. The skills shortage has been well documented within the construction sector and we have found that the apprenticeship programme is the best structure for our own recruitment, creating a win win environment for both the business and the trainees.”

Phillip, who has completed the first part of his apprenticeship, added, “I was working in the industry but didn’t have any formal qualifications and was keen to change that.   John explored the possibility of me coming on board and luckily it worked out. I’m delighted and I’m really enjoying the class based training which is quite a change for me.”

Over 25,000 people take up a Modern Apprenticeship position each year and over 80 different frameworks are available developed by sector skill councils in each industry from healthcare and financial services to construction and IT. Further information is available from www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk.