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company has also created forums for their apprentices to
communicate effectively and to share their ideas.
It is seen that the return on investment on an apprentice
for a business can be substantial. In 2015, the UK Department
for Business, Innovation, and Skills reported that for every
£1 invested in a Level 2 apprenticeship, £26 is returned.
For Level 3, it is slighter higher, at £28 returned for every
£1 invested. There is a real opportunity for employers to
work more collaboratively with educational bodies, such as
colleges and universities, as apprenticeships are being seen as
a more economically viable route into full-time employment.
Apprentice retention tends to be high, providing not only
benefits to the employer but security to the apprentice.
As apprenticeships become more dynamic, it allows
the cement industry (and beyond) to attract a far more
diverse workforce. Mechanical and electrical apprentices are
given the opportunity to question, improve, and innovate
processes. Technical apprenticeships are becoming more
popular: in 2018, for the first time, Aggregate Industries
has offered a commercial apprenticeship scheme to upskill
current employees. The mix of the workforce is improving
too. In 2017, Aggregate Industries recruited its first female
engineering apprentice: of a total of nineteen higher
apprentices employed, seven were female. The key to this
increase is that apprentices are invested in, meaning that
they receive correct and relevant training. There is also a
comprehensive support network relevant for their role.
There should be a real focus on attracting prospective
school students at the age of 13 or 14, when they are
beginning to form their path for a future career. Working
with the MPQC (MP Futures) and their newly introduced
Inspiring Futures scheme, Aggregate Industries has now
trained twenty six science, technology, engineering, and
maths (STEM) ambassadors to assist in educating schools
(teachers, parents, and school children) on the benefits of
working in the construction industry and STEM subjects.
Being able to apply real-life examples to their learning and
improving overall knowledge of the industry has been a
contributing factor to the Aggregate Industries improved
intake of apprentices. In the next ten years, major
infrastructure projects are taking place around the world.
Capturing the imagination of the future workforce now
will mean they can take an active part in these projects in
the future.
An apprentice’s story
My own journey within the industry has so far been
extremely rewarding. All apprenticeships are unique
and allow you to form your own path as long as you
show willingness. Within a ten month period I found
myself working across a number of departments, both
operationally and within support functions, to leading a
project that will be delivered to all operations within the
UK. Aggregate Industries has provided opportunities and
support through my studies at the University of Derby
to achieve a Foundation Degree in Mineral Products
Technology. There is an emphasis on providing the right
mentors and the right opportunities, as well as ensuring an
apprentice has a strong network of support.
A report released by Barclays and the Centre for
Economics and Business Research revealed that an
apprentice can earn up to 270% more in their lifetime
than a graduate leaving university. Not only do I receive
formal training through the University of Derby, but I
have the opportunity to gain qualifications and training
relevant to my job role, all without a large student loan.
I feel I have developed massively in a short period of
time, all while becoming more experienced within the
workplace. I was not aware of how exciting a career in
the cement industry could be. I was not aware of the
travel and career opportunities available. I therefore feel
it is equally important that, as an industry, we are able to
sell the benefits of a career within cement.
I recently joined the Institute for Apprenticeships’
Apprentice Panel, which brings together employers to
help develop new apprenticeships in their field, while
also valuing the input of apprentices themselves. This
should provide me with an opportunity to help promote
apprenticeships to others and use my personal experience
to make a contribution and influence the institute’s
thinking. My hope is to raise the awareness of the benefits
a career within the construction industry can offer and
champion the work we are doing to change this.
Apprenticeships are not just for people looking to join
a business. They provide a real opportunity for employers
to upskill their own workforce, with an increasing
number of employers offering employees a chance
to take part in an apprenticeship or providing formal
training alongside their current job role. It is important
that companies within the construction sector develop a
culture that welcomes apprentices into their workforce,
not only making a safe and exciting environment for
their employees to work in, but developing a culture that
promotes knowledge sharing with existing employees
and aids succession planning within an organisation.
Conclusion
In summary, with infrastructure projects on the rise as the
world strives to become more connected, there will be an
emphasis on the next generation to take the lead. There
is a global talent shortage and, as an industry, keeping
pace with technological advancements has its challenges.
I have had an extremely rewarding apprenticeship so far
and, looking to the future, I feel I have an opportunity
to enjoy an exciting career that sees me involved in
important projects around the world. More can be
done to promote the construction industry, however:
we can take real pride in the work we do and the way
companies within our sector are providing opportunities
for the future workforce. I strongly believe, therefore,
that the focus should be on capturing the imagination of
the future generation and ensuring that they continue
to receive the best possible mentoring and training for
themselves, ultimately benefiting the industry going
forward.
About the author
Louis Curtis is a Higher Apprentice working for Aggregate
Industries, which is a member of LafargeHolcim Group,
while studying at the University of Derby in the UK. Based at
the Cauldon cement plant, he is currently leading a project
innovating the company’s induction process.