TTS Launches 2021/22 Apprentice Recruitment Campaign
Accelerate your Career with an Apprenticeship
We have launched our 2021/22 apprentice recruitment campaign and are actively recruiting for live positions in a variety of apprenticeship types across Northern Ireland.
These are all full-time, fully employed, paid apprenticeships. Although we currently have vacancies to fill, we are interested in hearing from anyone that has an interest in becoming a TTS apprentice in 2021, because we will have new vacancies throughout the year and can set the ball rolling on your application process at any time. Apply early to avoid disappointment!
You can find out about the apprenticeships that we offer at the following links:
Find out About Apprenticeships in the Motor Industry:
https://www.transporttraining.org/motor-industry/apprenticeships/
Find out About Apprenticeships in the Transport Industry:
https://www.transporttraining.org/transport-industry/apprenticeships/
Most of our apprentices work for their employer five days a week (Monday to Friday) and hours of work can vary depending on the employer. The hourly rate of pay will be dependent on age and previous experience (experience not essential). Applicants must be under 25 and eligible for the ApprenticeshipsNI programme.
These apprenticeship opportunities will run in partnership with Transport Training Services, Nutts Corner, where you will attend training in a 'block release' style, for approximately one week every two months. Each apprentice attends our training centre for a unique blend of workshop practical tasks, classroom theory and e-learning. At TTS you will receive a minimum of 50% workshop practical training. Hours of attendance at TTS are 9am to 4pm (Monday-Thursday) and 9am to 3pm (Friday).
For 2021 we have launched a range of new programmes for new apprentices. To find out about the ways we will help our recruits to find an apprenticeship and how we support them in their preparation for work, check out our Apprenticeship Student Information page:
https://www.transporttraining.org/student-information/
For further details on the application process, programme eligibility or to ask any questions that you may have, please contact Robert Deignan, Careers Development Officer, at Transport Training Services on 07736 958355 or email robertd@transporttraining.org
CLICK HERE TO APPLY
TTS Launches New Initiatives to Support Transport Apprentices & Employers
Transport Training Services has launched a range of new programmes and initiatives aimed at supporting current and prospective transport industry apprentices and apprentice employers.
Supported by the Department for the Economy’s ‘Apprenticeship Challenge Fund’ and in conjunction with marketing company, Genie Insights, and workplace training specialist, CB Training Services, the new initiatives are in direct response to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
TTS knows from experience that bringing apprentices into the workplace, whilst vital to the future workforce, can sometimes come with unique challenges. The experience can be much smoother and more rewarding if both parties are well prepared. Via a suite of new support programmes, TTS will offer apprentices and employers the opportunity to learn the skills they need to make the partnership successful from day one and will support both in the recruitment and selection process.
The funding that has been made available, has allowed TTS to create opportunities for apprentices that have been made redundant to get back into employment and training, and aims to ensure that the future labour pool is not negatively affected by a short-term downturn in apprentice recruitment.
Structured Support Programmes
As a long-time supplier of apprenticeship training for employers in Northern Ireland, TTS recognises the challenges faced by employers in both the recruitment process and in managing and supporting apprentices. In response to these challenges, TTS can now offer further, structured and practical support for apprentice employers, including an apprenticeship brokerage service and a workplace mentoring programme.
Apprenticeship Brokerage Service
While some employers have the means to source their own apprentices, TTS understands that it’s not always easy for others due to expertise, time or resource limitations. For those apprentice employers that need support in the recruitment and assessment process, TTS offers an apprenticeship brokerage service that matches pre-assessed apprenticeship applicants to live vacancies.
Workplace Mentoring Programme
TTS has introduced a Workplace Mentoring Programme which has been specially designed to develop workshop supervisors/journeymen in the management skills required to support apprentices from the start to the end of his/her apprenticeship framework. This is intended to ensure the transition is as smooth as possible for both the apprentice and the employer.
Support for Apprentices
A range of complementary schemes will also support apprentices to secure and maintain apprenticeship employment. A new Jump Start ‘work-ready’ programme will require all new apprentices to complete a pre-employment course. For many starting an apprenticeship, this will be the first time they have ever had employment, or it could be their first time working in a structured environment, so this new initiative will make sure each apprentice has the skills and work ethic that employers desire.
Car to Commercial Conversion Course
A brand new car to commercial conversion course will also provide training to those whose employment has been affected by Covid-19 and the economic downturn. This short conversion programme will give those with light vehicle repair and maintenance experience the opportunity to upskill to heavy vehicle maintenance including pneumatic brakes, 24-volt electrical systems, heavy diesel engines and roadside recovery safety.
Women in Wheels
A final aspect of the apprenticeship challenge fund is to redress the gender imbalance in the automotive and transport sectors. Over the coming months, TTS will be specifically promoting these industries with diversity in mind in a bid to encourage more apprenticeship applications from females. A number of female-oriented events are planned and a range of promotional activities have commenced. A group of inspiring and dedicated females who are either existing apprentices or are experienced women working in a range of roles across the sectors have been identified as female ambassadors. TTS has also launched a Facebook group called ‘Women in Wheels NI’ to give females who work in, or who may be interested in a career in automotive, transport or logistics in Northern Ireland to meet and engage with other like-minded females.
To find out more about any of these new schemes or to enquire about apprentices for your business, please contact Robert Deignan at robertd@transporttraining.org or on 07736 958355.
Important Announcement for Transport Managers - Action Required before 31st December!
It has come to light that the European Commission has stated that after the end of the Brexit transition period on 31 December 2020, Transport Management CPCs issued by an authority of the United Kingdom or a body authorised by the United Kingdom will no longer be valid in the EU. This includes those that have taken the exam through CILT and OCR, bodies that TTS uses for its accreditation.
Fleet Transport Magazine highlighted this issue in its article here.
The Department for Transport has been liaising with the European Commission and has received clarification that UK-qualified transport managers can be issued with a corresponding Irish Transport Management CPC but this has to be done BEFORE the end of the Brexit transition period.
Those affected should send an email to studentsupport@cilt.ie indicating that they hold a UK-issued Transport Management CPC and wish to obtain a corresponding Irish certificate.
If you are one of the many affected by this issue please act now. Applications MUST be submitted to CILT by 31st December 2020.
Recruitment Drive for Sessional Trainers at TTS
TTS, a social enterprise which builds skills in people working in the automotive, logistics and transport sectors, is strengthening its team of trainers by widening its bank of sessional trainers.
What we need are career professionals who already have qualifications and experience in their field and would like to take a step further with flexible opportunities to share this experience with others through training, mentoring and support.
Our training program includes leadership, management and compliance programs for the logistics, taxi and transport industries; foundation and ongoing professional training for the automotive industries as well as on the road skills and license preparation for freight and passenger transport drivers. We also deliver safety training and accreditation for the movement of dangerous goods and management of automotive workshops.
Quality provision is critical to us. We are ISO 9001 accredited and a recognised centre for the following bodies:
- The Institute of Export & International Trade
- Institute of the Motor Industry
- Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport
- The Joint Approvals Unit for Periodic Training
- National Tyre Distributors’ Association
- Scottish Qualifications Authority
- Apprenticeships NI
- Open College Network
- Institute of Road Transport Engineers
What We Need
We are looking to identify a pool of experienced sessional trainers who have proven experience in their fields and who, with induction and training, will help TTS to build and develop our delivery in the next stage of our growth.
This bank of trainers will be drawn upon to support innovation, to improve our diversity of delivery, to meet times of key demand and to expand our reach. Our strategy and growth is showing us we need to grow our team and we want to bring on board a wider spread of people and skills to support our training and development services ahead.
Training delivery might be with people to gain skills qualifications and apprenticeships:
- Automotive - light and heavy vehicles, parts & service, bodywork and paint, fast fit, workshop safety, F-Gas, electric vehicle and more
- Logistics and transport - Driver CPC, Export and Brexit readiness, Transport Manager Qualification, ADR, DGSA, Taxi Periodic Training and licence categories C, C+E, D and D1
These self-employed roles will be for day, evening and weekend provision at our modern specialist training centre at Nutts Corner or at a customer’s premises across Ireland. It may be for short term or longer-term delivery as the need arises.
What You Need To Do
For an informal conversation on the opportunity please give Stephen Wilkinson, Training Director a call to get more information. To apply we will need you to send us your cv and a cover letter and make sure we have your name, address and phone number. Please include:
- Your current role and your relevant experience
- Your relevant professional training
- Any training and development qualifications and/or experience
- The particular area you are interested in delivering training with us and why your experience can support your training in that area
- The names and phone number of two referees
Applicants may need later to have an Access NI check done and we will ask to see copies of qualification certificates before you may start.
We will wish to meet with you and we will provide and induction through which we both can work out how (or if) you might deliver training for us.
Application Deadline and Delivery
We are open to applications on a rolling basis but we will shortlist and follow up on applications on or around the first day of each month.
These are preferred by email to HR@transporttraining.org
Or by mail to:
HR
Transport Training Services
Nutts Corner Business Park
15 Dundrod Road
Crumlin
BT29 4SS
Details of Employer Incentives for Apprenticeships
We posted information on 4th September about the various employer incentives announced by the Department for the Economy.
Today, we are able to post links to the details you have been asking for. These links give clarity about who is entitled to claim the employer incentives, how they are administered and how to apply
- If you have returned an apprentice from furlough or are planning to do so, please follow this link...
https://www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/content/coronavirus-apprenticeship-return-retain-and-result-scheme
- If you have recently taken on a new apprentice or are planning to do so, please follow this link...
https://www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/content/coronavirus-recruitment-new-apprenticeships
If you would like to discuss any of the above information, please contact our Training Director, Stephen Wilkinson, on 028 9590 1062 or our Careers Development Officer, Robert Deignan, on 028 9082 5653
New Apprentice Retention Scheme Launched by DfE for Employers
The news initially broke on 4th September via various local news outlets (e.g. BBC).
This is extremely positive news which could see employers being paid up to £3,700 for each apprentice that they train and retain.
We have pursued further information on the scheme from DfE and can now confirm the following:
Q: If an employer takes on an apprentice from 31st August will they qualify for the £3,000 incentive or will it only come into effect from today?
A: Employers will be eligible for all apprentices (AppsNI and HLA) that they recruited from the 1st April 2020
Q: If an employer has already paid off their apprentices, can they avail of the £3,700 if they reemploy those they have already let go?
A: Yes, If the Apprentice was furloughed, then let go and re-employed the employer will be eligible for this scheme – date of “re-employment” will impact upon total eligibility
Q: When will the incentive be paid?
A: Full details will be published online this week however:
-
Recruitment Incentive – Employer becomes eligible to apply for £2k after 90 days employment, with remaining £1k payable if retained for 200 days
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Furlough Retention – Assuming employed / returned from Furlough before the 1st Nov, the employer can apply for the £500 return incentive, once one full month of employment has been completed (for early returners this would be the month of Nov 2020), from 1st December 2020. They can then apply for a further (up to) £2k of retain incentive in April 2021, for the period the apprentice is retained beyond the return month. The maximum retain period available is 4 months, £500 incentive per month, from 1st Dec 20 – 31st Mar 21. The returned furloughed apprentices become eligible to apply for final £1,200 once apprenticeship has been successfully completed
Q: How will it be paid? Through HMRC reduced deductions, directly from DfE or through the training contractor?
A: Directly from DfE – application process currently under development. We will publish full details as soon as possible
Q: Will the incentive simply top up the existing employer incentives already built into ApprenticeshipsNI?
A: They are separate however employer will remain eligible for any existing DfE incentives and the UK Gov Coronavirus Job Retention Bonus
This is very welcome news indeed and the funds are much needed to help sustain apprenticeships and the economy. TTS will endeavour to keep you updated as more information becomes available.
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
Demystify Brexit Workshops Available to Book
Transport Training Services (NI) Ltd is pleased to announce its 'Demystify Brexit' Workshop, in conjunction with the Customs Clearance Consortium and hosted by BREXIT expert, Rob Hardy.
This practical training session will focus on awareness of the what, where, when and how of customs processes and documentation required after Brexit, including the best sequencing and management of events. More importantly, the session will highlight the potential challenges and pitfalls associated with getting processes and paperwork wrong! This interactive workshop will uniquely cover a range of real-life scenario examples to provide relevant context to the required processes. The aim will be to deliver practical advice, as well as the theory.
Although there will be a phased approach to the additional customs procedures that are set to be introduced, there will be added customs requirements as early as 1st January 2021. There is plenty that importers, exporters and hauliers can prepare now, and this course will provide delegates with guidance on getting ready.
Rob is founder of the Customs Clearance Consortium, a renowned BREXIT advisor and a registered expert with the EU Commission.
The workshop is essential for anyone concerned with importing and/or exporting goods into or out of the island of Ireland, including product manufacturers and distributors and transport and warehousing companies.
"As part of our new three-year strategy we are committed to supporting the transport and motor sectors with relevant training on the issues that matter most. When we set out to plan this event we knew from the outset that Rob was the most knowledgeable and in-demand BREXIT expert available so we were thrilled when he agreed to host our event." Peter O'Reilly, CEO at TTS
A range of dates have been released and these courses are eligible for government grant funding via the HMRC Customs Grant Scheme.
Given the current social distancing guidelines this is a blended delivery programme. Participants have the option of socially-distanced in-centre training or can join online via Zoom.
"Robert Hardy has been instrumental in our Brexit preparations. His expert knowledge, guidance and support has allowed us to navigate the complex world of customs clearance based on our business model, allowing us to guide our customers through their requirements and preparing them for 1st January 2021. Robert’s experience in customs over the past 20 years is unquestionable and he really has been a valuable asset to us." – William Dennison, W.S. Dennison
Click here to find out more or to register for this event.
Apprentices Must Remain a Priority for Employers, says new CEO of TTS
TTS's new CEO, Peter O'Reilly, is urging employers to take a long-term view when considering staffing requirements regarding apprentices over the coming weeks and months.
Recent history shows that young people are disproportionately impacted by unemployment during recession. In the aftermath of the 2008 financial crash, almost a third of those unemployed in Northern Ireland were between 18 and 24 - the only age group to see an unemployment rate in double digits.
For young people already part-way through an apprenticeship, the prospect of losing their employment due to redundancy is a matter of grave concern. If these apprentices were to be laid off, not only would they lose their employment, they would be at risk of losing their apprenticeship place as well. For those young people due to leave education hoping to start an apprenticeship in September, the situation is even more grim.
Whilst TTS fully appreciates the difficult decisions companies are faced with, it is urging employers to take a long-term view when considering staffing requirements regarding apprentices over the coming weeks and months.
Given the inexpensiveness of apprentices relative to their productivity, they offer employers good value when money is tight. In fact, Institute for the Motor Industry (IMI) carried out an extensive two-year study, co-funded by the UK Commission for Employment and Skills, which showed apprentices typically generate a return on investment of between 150% and 300% and typically generate profit within 18-24 months. ‘Growing your own’ technicians through apprenticeships also reduces long-term recruitment and training costs.
Peter O’Reilly, the new CEO of TTS is urging employers to take a long-term view when considering staffing requirements over the coming weeks. He firmly believes that young people are key to securing the future workforce. He explained: “We know the potentially devastating effect that not investing in apprentice training can have. There is a knock-on effect later down the line, something the sectors that we work with are experiencing now. During the last recession, many employers chose not to invest in apprentices and that’s partly how today’s skills gaps have come about. It is our hope that employers will bear this in mind when considering their existing and future apprentice needs”.
Encouragingly, the Chancellor has now announced financial support to promote the take up of apprenticeships, but presently these measures do not apply to Northern Ireland. TTS will be pursuing local Government in the coming weeks to advocate for young people and employers in Northern Ireland on this issue.
TTS remains committed to getting more motivated young people into apprenticeship roles to support employers in the motor trade and transport/logistics industries and already has a pipeline of promising candidates assessed and ready to work and learn.
Being an independent training provider, TTS is not restricted to a September start for apprentices and can have late starters, unlike the government owned further education institutions, so apprentice numbers could increase later in the year, should the economy recover more quickly than expected.
TTS supplies talented young people in a variety of apprentice job roles within the automotive and transport/logistics sector, including: light and heavy vehicle technician, body repair and vehicle refinish technician, tyre technician, service and parts advisor, goods vehicle driving and traffic office apprenticeships (for those wishing to embark on a career in traffic planning in logistics).
To find out more about recruiting an apprentice, please contact Robert Deignan or complete the contact form at the bottom of the page here.
TTS Talent: Caroline Delaney, Heavy Vehicle Technician Apprentice
Caroline Delaney is a TTS Heavy Vehicle Technician Apprentice working at Donnelly Group. She is currently completing level 2 in preparation for moving to the next level in September. Caroline was recognised for her obvious talent early on in her apprentice career when she was put forward to represent her employer in the 2019 Export & Freight Apprentice of the Year competition.
Tell us about your background and your route to becoming an apprentice.
I started in Mechanical Engineering at Bangor SERC and got my level 3 and used that to go into Aerospace Engineering at Queens, but I did my first year and didn’t really enjoy it. It was all in a classroom; there was no hands on. I enjoyed what I was learning but just not the course. I’ve always been a very hands-on person; I used to work a lot with horses and am used to being outside doing that sort of thing, and I’ve always enjoyed cars. My dad used to have a fleet of lorries and I used to go and watch him doing the mechanics so that’s what I decided to do.
Would you recommend it to other females?
I definitely would. The only thing I would say is if you are a ‘girly-girl’ that worries about your nails it won’t be for you. But certainly, if you don’t mind getting a wee bit dirty then it’s something I would really recommend.
From day one everyone has treated me as one of them. There’s been no differences at all. There’s a bit of joking about my height because I’m only 4’8” but it’s all just banter!
How do you find being an apprentice with TTS?
It’s brilliant; TTS is really, really good, even compared to when I was at Bangor SERC. Because you’re not in the classroom every single day of the week and it’s broken up with the practical side, that makes a really big difference. I don’t think there’s a huge amount of places that have the facilities that TTS has to do the practical side of things.
How have you found the move to online learning during the COVID-19 lockdown?
It was really, really simple. Michael has been a great help with explaining everything and making sure if there was anything we needed or anything we didn’t understand he was more than happy to help us. One of the good things about the online learning was that I could work at my own pace so I maybe went a bit quicker than we’d do in class. Not that we go slowly but for my own mental state during lockdown I was able to go a bit quicker, which suited me. But definitely I do miss the socialising aspect of it; it’s much nicer having that than just sitting looking at a computer screen.
Given the possible redundancy situation for some apprentices due to COVID-19 cutbacks, what would you say to employers about the value of apprentices?
At the minute it’s very easy to say “cut the apprentices” because they maybe haven’t been there as long as everyone else, but what happens when it comes back around that you need apprentices? Instead of getting rid of the apprentices that you’ve already started to train up and are getting good now, keep them on and let them get better because they are going to be more productive for the company than if you have to start from scratch later on.
TTS on Front Line of Apprentice Training During COVID-19 Pandemic
TTS apprentices have moved to online learning during the COVID-19 lockdown.
Under normal circumstances, TTS provides training for around 200 employed apprentices. Training is a combination of tutor training at TTS’s purpose-built, modern facility at Nutts Corner Business Park and ‘on-the-job’ training in the workplace. With the COVID-19 outbreak and subsequent ‘lockdown’, the TTS training facility was closed, and many apprentices were furloughed by their employers.
Within just two weeks, TTS had moved to online training platforms, including Google Classrooms, Microsoft Teams and Zoom, as well as the Electude online learning platform that TTS apprentices were already familiar with. Much of the training has been supported by each technical trainer carrying out live theory-based learning using interactive presentations and discussion. These new learning methods had to be approved by Department for Economy (DfE) and the accreditation body, the Institute for the Motor Industry (IMI). DfE has taken a keen interest in the systems TTS is now using for continued delivery.
Apprenticeship qualifications at TTS are awarded by the IMI and apprentices work towards a progress percentage against their IMI e-portfolio. Using the online learning in conjunction with their normal ‘write-ups’, and to the credit of the dedication of the apprentices and their trainers, most apprentices have been able to progress at a rate almost on par with normal circumstances.
The main challenge in progressing has been on the employer side of things. Around 80-85% of TTS apprentices were put on furlough, with the exception of some of the heavy vehicle employers that worked through lockdown to service/repair vehicles delivering food for example. Apprentices not on furlough have been able to further boost their portfolio percentage by submitting work-based evidence. TTS trainers have been unable to visit apprentices in the workplace to carry out work-based observations.
TTS’s Training Director, Stephen Wilkinson, is pleased with feedback from apprentices:
“The adaption to home-based learning has broadly been received well by apprentices, who have been accepting of the government-imposed restrictions. Responses to our surveys and ongoing communications show that our apprentices would much prefer face-to-face training but are mostly satisfied or very satisfied with the online training to date. Plus, we have been open to adapting our methods as we’ve learnt what works best and what our apprentices prefer. For example, we added the use of zoom for virtual classes following initial feedback once we got protocols in place to protect the learners. However, apprenticeships generally appeal to those that prefer to learn ‘hands-on’, so it is no surprise that our apprentices and trainers alike are keen to get back to practical learning methods as soon as possible”.
TTS’s goal throughout has been to keep existing apprentices engaged and on track to graduate when they are due to, something that has so far been successful. With the exception of one apprentice, who decided on a change of career path, all TTS apprentices remain engaged in their development programme, evidenced by their e-portfolio scores. Although some apprentices are starting back to work, others are, unfortunately still under threat with some having been informed by employers that they are on 90 days’ notice at risk of redundancy. TTS is confident that employers will see the value in keeping apprentices employed though, given the inexpensiveness of apprentices relative to their productivity. The IMI carried out an extensive study which showed apprentices typically generate a return on investment of between 150% and 300% and typically generate profit within 18-24 months.
As well as ongoing training, TTS’s Careers Development Officer, Robert Deignan, has continued his pastoral check-ins with each apprentice. As well as recruiting apprentices, Robert’s role involves ensuring that all apprentices are developing well and integrating successfully into his/her workplace, and to provide regular feedback on progress
Robert had this to say: “In the forefront of our minds there was the issue of isolation and how this could impact on one of our most vulnerable groups of our society - our young people! I’ve endeavoured to keep connected with apprentices, outside of their daily contact with trainers, to safeguard their mental well-being too. Although it’s difficult to know what individuals have going on at home, I’ve been working with young people for over 20 years so I’d like to think I would pick up on the signs if any of our apprentices were distressed”.
Indeed, at least two TTS apprentices have been supplementing their development by volunteering to help those most vulnerable in our communities. One is volunteering at his local grocery store in Cullybackey, preparing grocery orders for those that are isolating. The other is helping to prepare orders at an arable farm in Comber.
DfE have now announced that apprentices can be brought into TTS for assessments which cannot be done remotely, for example, practical tasks in workshops and PC-based end-of-unit tests. TTS is now completing robust risk assessments to satisfy DfE that safe arrangements are in place and deep-cleaning is underway. Although TTS already operates with maximum class sizes of ten (and an average of eight) to facilitate learning (compared with 16 in the Training for Success scheme), it is thought that social ‘bubbles’ of four in the classroom and four in the workshop, may be the way forward. The priority will be apprentices due to complete Level 3 and qualify at the end of August 2020 and those due to complete Level 2 and progress to Level 3 in September 2020.