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Apprenticeships:
the Future of
the Industry
Louis Curtis, Aggregate
Industries,
argues the cement
industry must embrace
innovation in technology and
worker training to attract the
next generation of workers.
Introduction
There is a skills gap in the UK construction
sector, which will only grow wider if more is
not done to attract the next generation into
the industry. In Germany, apprentices are the
foundation of the workforce, with over two thirds
of people under the age of 22 going directly
into an apprenticeship. The UK lags behind
Germany – but this is starting to change. With
the introduction of the Apprenticeship Levy in
April 2017, UK employers are working to embrace
apprenticeships in their organisations. The purpose
of the levy is to encourage employers to invest in
apprenticeship programmes and to raise additional
funds to improve the quality and quantity of
apprenticeships. Despite this, university is still
seen as the most popular route for school leavers.
Alongside the construction industry’s qualifications
council (the MPQC), Aggregate Industries is
working to deliver a message not only to school
leavers, but to parents too, educating them on the
benefits of apprenticeship schemes.
The time for innovation
Cement is an industry that is ready to be innovated
further, something that is key to attracting future
talent. The future workforce is a generation
growing up in the digital era; it is therefore
essential to appeal to their interests. Companies
need to encourage collaboration, resource sharing,
and show that they are embracing technology
that appeals to the future workforce’s interests
outside of work. The cement industry is something
that people can be excited about: each day
technology is being better utilised, for example in
the increasing use of drones to inspect equipment
and a movement towards robotics and automation.
This all lends itself to attracting a more diverse
workforce.
Aggregate Industries has a varied choice of
apprenticeship schemes with roles spanning from
business administration apprentices (Level 3), to
mechanical and electrical apprentices (Level 3), and
apprentices in first line supervisory roles (Level 5).
The levels are structured in order to aid progression
and align with the traditional route of secondary
school to university.
Aggregate Industries places an emphasis on
off-the-job learning, where apprentices can gain
key skills and network with other apprentices.
Regular workshops are held, focused on developing
the apprentices’ professional and personal skills,
designed to improve innovation, and increase the
productivity and potential of the apprentice. The