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

by

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.

by

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.

by

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

by

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.

by

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

by

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.

by

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

by

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

by

New Apprentice Retention Scheme Launched by DfE for Employers

TTS is delighted to have received early information relating to a new apprentice retention scheme, announced by the Department for the Economy (DfE).

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

  • 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

by