‘Women in Wheels NI’ Event Demonstrates Demand for Automotive & Transport Careers by Women
Transport Training Services hosted the first ever Women in Wheels NI event on Sunday 6th March to coincide with International Women’s Day.
The event called Women Driving Change, which was kindly sponsored by Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council, offered females of all ages from across Northern Ireland the opportunity to find out about the wide range of career opportunities in the automotive and transport/logistics sectors.
Participants took part in interactive activities, including getting behind the wheel of a truck or bus and getting hands-on with vehicle maintenance demonstrations. The event also had speakers from a broad cross-section of the motor and transport sectors, from truck and bus drivers, vehicle technicians, fleet and transport managers, female business owners and many more. A range of employers were also there to talk about live job opportunities on the day, including Woodside Logistics Group, Translink, Bryson Recycling, Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service, DHL Supply Chain, Manpower, Mercedes-Benz Truck & Van, and Donnelly Group.
With more than 120 people through the doors at TTS and 72 getting behind the wheel of a truck or bus, the event was a huge success. As well as practical activities such as vehicle technician demonstrations and vehicle paint technician displays, a range of panel discussions, hosted by Pamela Dennison, ran throughout the day with speakers from a broad cross-section of the sectors being promoted.
In addition to Automotive, Transport & Logistics and HGV Driver panels, a Compliance and Fleet Management panel gave attendees the chance to find out about career possibilities that may be lesser known roles to anyone outside of the industry.
Siofra McClure, Recruitment Co-Ordinator at Woodside Logistics Group had this to say:
“At Woodside Logistics Group, our aim is to continue to build an inclusive culture where all our staff feel welcome and valued. We recognise there is a need to encourage more women into the transport and logistics industry and we are proud to work with partners like Women in Wheels NI to show the opportunities we have for women interested in a career in logistics and build on the progress we have already made.
We were delighted to be a partner at the inaugural Women Driving Change event at the Transport Training Services on Sunday 6th March. The event was a huge success and really highlighted not only the opportunities available for women in the industry but the amount of women in Northern Ireland who want to break down the barriers and start a career in logistics. We are excited to continue our work to drive inclusion and we look forward to working with our colleagues in the industry to provide more opportunities for women.”
Fiona Gallery, HR Officer at Donnelly Group added: “Thank you for such an inspiring day! It was great to meet so many passionate women who are interested in a career the automotive industry. Donnelly Group are very proud to support and work in partnership with such a fantastic event.”
One participant, Zoe McVey, said: “Thank you so much for today. It was so interesting. I really enjoyed the practical aspect too. I am definitely going to do my HGV training. Thanks for helping me decide!”
Another, Stephanie Blain, added: “Great day all round. It has totally inspired me! I have plenty of homework and reading to do…Hopefully I’ll be going forward into the future for something that really interests me.”
And Alex Jay, had this to say: “Absolutely class!...I've been struggling a lot lately and today was such an amazing experience. I’m still smiling from my drive in the fire engine! So many lovely people sharing their experiences in various careers has really given me inspiration. Thank you so much to everyone who spent time chatting with me.”
Other comment included: “a new career beckons” and “change of career direction I think”.
With less than 2% of vehicle technicians and large goods vehicle drivers in NI, and just 14% of all UK logistics workers being female, the organisations involved in this event are committed to attracting more women into a range of historically male-dominated careers.
Michael Strain, CEO of TTS, commented: “I have no doubt that many of the women in attendance will go on to take up careers in automotive or transport, having seen the response on the day and the very positive feedback that we have received since. We couldn’t have been more pleased to see the fantastic turn out at the first ever Women in Wheels NI event.”
TTS runs a Facebook Group (www.facebook.com/groups/womeninwheelsni) which now has more than 340 members, a combination of automotive and transport industry professionals and women interested in careers in these sectors.
Due to the success of this inaugural Women in Wheels NI event, TTS hopes to run another one later in the year.
TTS To Host Women Driving Change Event
- Have a go at truck or bus driving in a safe environment
- Take part in interactive vehicle workshop activities and demonstrations
- Speak to and hear from females working in automotive, transport and logistics
- Speak to employers in automotive, transport and logistics about career opportunities with them
- Translink
- NI Fire & Rescue Service
- Bryson Recycling
- Woodside Logistics Group
- Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council
2022 Apprentice Recruitment Campaign Launched!
We launched our apprentice recruitment campaign at an Open Day on Thursday 10th February to coincide with Northern Ireland Apprenticeship Week.
As well as showcasing our range of existing apprenticeship frameworks, we also launched new logistics apprenticeships, aimed at addressing the skills gaps in the Northern Ireland logistics sector.
During the Open Day, young people and their families were able to engage in interactive activities at our purpose-built Nutts Corner training campus and met with our careers advisors and technical trainers. Some of our apprentice employers were also in attendance including Diamond Trucks, Donnelly Group, Mercedes-Benz Truck & Van NI, TBF Thompson, Woodside Logistics Group and Wrightbus and attendees were able to apply for live vacancies on the day.
For more information about apprenticeships with TTS, please contact Robert Deignan on 07736958355 or robertd@transporttraining.org
TTS Launches New Customer Service, Management & Team Leading Apprenticeships
Transport Training Services has launched a brand new range of apprenticeships aimed at helping existing automotive, transport and logistics professionals to up-skill in the following areas:
Team Leading Apprenticeship
This level 2 team leading apprenticeship is designed for supervisors or first-line managers and provides practical knowledge and skills to strengthen leadership in an existing role or to advance the learner’s management career.
To participate in this apprenticeship, candidates must be managing people currently and they must hold team and one-to-one meetings.
Management Apprenticeship
This level 3 management apprenticeship is designed for current managers who require upskilling in areas of their job to be fully competent.
To participate in this apprenticeship, candidates should be managing staff and/or managing processes.
Customer Service Apprenticeship
A customer service apprenticeship is a training scheme that teaches the skills required to provide excellent customer service. These skills can be applied to jobs in almost any sector so the career possibilities are endless.
For more information on these apprenticeships, please click here.
TTS Launches Range of New Logistics Apprenticeships
In a further commitment to the wider transport industry in Northern Ireland, Transport Training Services has launched a range of new logistics sector apprenticeships.
The UK logistics sector contributes £127 billion to the UK economy and with the boom in online retail over the last number of years, logistics jobs have never been so vital. The logistics apprenticeships will support logistics industry employers with their workforce needs and will offer young people a pathway into a career in this vast sector.
These apprenticeships will help support logistics industry employers with their workforce needs across a range of areas including:
- Warehousing & Storage
- Logistics Operations
- Supply Chain Management
Logistics roles oversee every stage of the production process, starting with the purchasing of the raw material then moving to picking, packing, transport planning and finally the distribution of goods from the warehouse to the customer's door.
These roles are critical parts of the supply chain that ensure manufacturers have all of the ingredients or components required to make their products; that our shops, restaurants and hotels are fully stocked; and that homes across the country receive their letters and parcels on time.
For more information on these apprenticeships, please visit the new logistics section of our website.
TTS to Host 2022 Apprenticeship Open Day
TTS is holding an Open Day on Thursday 10th February 2022 as part of its Northern Ireland Apprenticeship Week activities.
Attendees will find out about the range of apprenticeships and career opportunities available within the motor vehicle, transport & logistics sectors across Northern Ireland.
Any school leaver / young person, parent/guardian, teacher/careers advisor is welcome to attend, as well as any company that currently employs apprentices or would like to find out about employing apprentices.
The Open Day will provide an opportunity for those interested in learning about apprenticeships in motor, transport and logistics to visit to our purpose-built training campus to speak to our Careers and Technical Training Teams, participate in activities, engage with employers, and register as an applicant.
Registration to attend this event is advised.
To find out more about this event or to register to attend please click here.
Transport Training Services Expands Leadership
A lot has been going on at Transport Training Services since it emerged from the Covid lockdowns.
The organisation has a new Chief Executive and has added ten new members to its Board of Trustees demonstrating expertise across Education, Transport and Automotive.
Michael Strain is the new Chief Executive who comes from a 30-year career in the oil distribution industry. His career started in 1986 working for Fuel Services NI Ltd before heading to Dublin in 1997 to work for Shell Oil. Eight years later Michael returned to Northern Ireland to head up Shell’s all Ireland Local Fuels Operation as it transitioned to Topaz.
“It’s with great pride that I take the up this role with TTS. As with any new career challenge there is always a feeling of excitement and trepidation. However, I have never started a role that gave me such instant gratification and personal reward for what we are trying to achieve at TTS as a charity and a centre of education.
When leaving the oil industry, I set myself a personal goal of getting involved in either a charity or an environmental organisation. I have achieved both in TTS. As a charity we are the leading provider for apprenticeships and career focused training for people in the transport, automotive and logistics industries, providing a crucial route for young people to gain well-paid, secure, productive employment.
Transport by its nature has been, and continues to be, a major global polluter, and this is where my environmental goal gets fulfilled. At TTS, one of our missions is to work closely with vehicle manufacturers to develop new training skills, materials and facilities to cater for alternate fuels. We currently have a dedicated EV training suite and are now in the process of working with local councils and education boards to develop our hydrogen strategy. I’m looking forward to all these new initiatives and can feel my personal carbon footprint decreasing by the day”.
Michael is pleased to be supported in his role by the Transport Training Board of Northern Ireland whose board of trustees bring with them a wealth of knowledge across the transport and educational sectors of Northern Ireland.
Find out more about the new TTB board here.
Transport Training Services is a working name of the social enterprise company and charity the Transport Training Board for Northern Ireland charity registration NI101451
TTS Apprentice Employer Case Study - J & F Trucks & Vans
J&F Trucks & Vans is a long-established family business based in Mallusk. County Antrim, providing quality used vans & commercial vehicles. TTS has trained three generations of the J&F family. John Joe Junior is currently completing his heavy vehicle technician apprenticeship to learn the ropes so he can follow in his dad and grandad’s footsteps, alongside his friend since P1, Jude Stewart.
TTS was delighted to have the opportunity to speak to the three generations of the Walsh family - Frank, John Joe and John Joe Junior - about the J&F business and their experiences of partnering with TTS as an apprenticeship training provider.
Watch the J&F Trucks & Vans Video:
Apprenticeship Recovery Package Extended to 31st March 2022
As you may be aware the Department for the Economy (DfE) has been offering an Apprenticeship Recovery Package for Northern Ireland that channels financial support to local businesses to help the apprenticeship system respond to the impact of the COVID-19 crisis. These incentives previously supported the return and retention of furloughed apprentices and the recruitment of new apprentices up to 31st March 2021, but TTS is delighted that the DfE have announced an extension of these schemes until 31 March 2022.
The New Apprenticeship Incentive Scheme
This scheme is open to employers who take on an apprentice participating in the Department for the Economy funded ApprenticeshipsNI or Higher Level Apprenticeship programmes with up to £3,000 available to employers for each new apprenticeship opportunity created between 1 April 2020 and 31 March 2022.
This incentive is available for all new apprenticeship opportunities created, including those made available for apprentices who have been made redundant by another employer.
- Payment 1 - £2,000 after 90 days retention following start of new paid apprenticeship
- Payment 2 - £1,000 after 200 days retention following start of new paid apprenticeship
For further information and to download an application form for the scheme please see: www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/content/coronavirus-recruitment-new-apprenticeships
Apprenticeship Return, Retain and Result Scheme
This scheme is open to employers participating on the DfE-funded ApprenticeshipsNI or Higher Level Apprenticeship programmes, who return apprentices who were furloughed as part of the UK Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.
DfE will provide incentive payments to help you return your apprentice(s) from furlough, retain them in work and for successful completion of their apprenticeship with up to £3,700 available per apprentice.
- Return - £500 per returned furloughed apprentice payable for the first full month of paid apprenticeship between 1 November 2020 and 31st March 2022.
- Retain – maximum of £2,000 available: £500 per month for up to 4 consecutive months of paid apprenticeship following the “return” month between 1 December 2020 and 31 March 2022.
- Result - £1,200 for successful completion of all apprenticeship components by a returned furloughed apprentice
For further information and to download an application form for the scheme please see: www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/content/coronavirus-apprenticeship-return-retain-result-scheme
If you are interested in recruiting an automotive or transport industry apprentice, please contact our dedicated Careers Development Officer, Robert Deignan on 07736958355 or via email on robertd@transporttraining.org. We can assist you with all of the necessary paperwork.
NI Apprenticeship Week Events Launched
TTS has planned a range of events to coincide with Northern Ireland Apprenticeship Week (NIAW), which is set to take place from 26th to 30th April 2021.
As well as posting daily apprenticeship videos via the TTS social media platforms across the week, the following events have also been organised:
Virtual Tour and Question & Answer Session - Tuesday 27th April at 19.00
We will be hosting a virtual tour of our training facilities, followed by a virtual Q&A session. This is an opportunity for young people, parents, schools and employers to find out more about the various transport and automotive apprenticeships available at TTS, as well as career progression opportunities in these sectors.We will be joined by a panel of existing apprentice employers and existing/past apprentices, as well as tutors/staff at TTS. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions during the event, but those questions that are submitted in advance will be prioritised.
The virtual guided tour will take viewers through the training rooms, workshops and computer suites of the Transport Training Services campus in Nutts Corner so that prospective apprentices and employers can get an overview of the training environment and facilities on offer.
To register to attend this event and to submit any questions that you have, please complete the registration form. You will be sent Zoom details closer to the time.
Women Auto Learn Ladies' Night - Thursday 29th April at 18.30
As part of TTS's new Women in Wheels NI campaign to encourage more females into the transport and automotive sectors, we are planning to run a series of female-only events. Our 'Women Auto Learn' event will be hosted by a former female TTS apprentice, now a qualified vehicle technician working in a leading, local car dealership.
The event is aimed at young women (aged 16-24) and will introduce females to general car maintenance. Participants will get hands-on training on how to maintain a car, including how to carry out a full vehicle health check, as well as learn how to do basic tasks such as checking oil levels, changing wiper blades, topping up fluids, etc.
This event is ideal for any young women who wants to become more independent in maintaining her own or her family’s cars, or for females with an interest in a career in the automotive/transport industry.
To find out more about our Women in Wheels NI initiative, or to find out more about being a female working in the transport/automotive sectors in NI, please visit our Women in Wheels NI Facebook group.
PLACES ARE LIMITED & BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL. To register your interest in this event, please complete the registration form. You will be contacted to confirm your place.
Please note: This event is subject to easing of covid-19 restrictions. Ideally this will be held at the TTS facility at Nutts Corner, but if that is not possible it will revert to a virtual event. Any participant under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Parents/guardians or other accompanying adults will receive a tour of the TTS training centre and will have access to complementary light refreshments in our canteen.
If you think you might have an interest in a career in the automotive/transport industry or you are an employer considering an apprentice, then this is your opportunity to find out more.
These initiatives have been funded under the Department for the Economy’s Apprenticeship Challenge Fund.