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
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:
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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 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.
The TTS Apprentice 100 - Meeting the Increasing Demand for a Skilled Workforce
Transport Training Services (TTS) has launched its 2019 apprenticeship recruitment campaign and is aiming to exceed last year’s figure by recruiting 100 new apprentices. The apprenticeships will start on or before September 2019 and will supply the industry with talented young people in a variety of apprentice job roles – light and heavy vehicle technicians, body repair and vehicle refinish technicians, motorcycle repair technicians, tyre technicians as well as aftersales and parts advisors. TTS will also be further developing its driving goods vehicles apprenticeship, as well as offering a new traffic office apprenticeship for those who wish to embark on a career in traffic planning and logistics.
“These are exciting times for TTS as we aim to build upon last year’s record recruitment of over 85 new apprentices who entered the motor vehicle and transport sectors in September 2018”, says CEO Martin Hutchinson. “These recruits have quickly become productive in their new job roles. This can only be good news for employers who are faced with skills shortages in a number of areas.”
According to a skills shortage report published by the Freight Transport Association in November last year, over half of all large good vehicle drivers in the UK are age 45+ (56%) and the report estimates that there is a shortfall of large good vehicle drivers of 35,000. The shortage of technicians is more difficult to quantify but there is significant anecdotal evidence from local employers that this is a huge issue. The most recent Employer Skills Survey (2017) published by the Department for Education, which interviewed 87,430 employers across the UK (3,973 of which were in NI) highlights that around two in every five vacancies for roles classed as “Skilled Trades” were “proving hard to fill for skills related reasons”. Vehicle technicians, mechanics and electricians came second on the list of specific job roles that account for the largest proportion of all Skilled Trades skill-shortage vacancies, giving a strong indication of the challenges employers face.
TTS offers both employers and young people an efficient and robust assessment and job matching service so that ‘job-ready’ applicants can be quickly matched to ‘live’ vacancies. Robert Deignan, Careers Development Officer at TTS, is actively building partnerships with schools and promoting motor vehicle careers at jobs fairs and other community outreach events. This activity has stimulated a significant number of apprentice applications from school leavers and young people interested in kick-starting their career. Each applicant is assessed at TTS using a range of bespoke diagnostic tests. Suitable prospects are then connected directly to employers for further assessment, work trials and final interviews. As Robert explains, “The diagnostic assessment tool is a good indicator of an applicant’s ability in literacy, numeracy, mechanical aptitude and cognitive reasoning. Individual assessment ensures that only suitable prospects are put forward to employers for consideration.”
TTS has well-established business partnerships with the main employers in the transport and motor sectors in Northern Ireland. Current partners on the ApprenticeshipsNI* programme include a variety of franchise brands such as BMW, Mercedes, Ford, VW, Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Renault, Kia, Hyundai and Fiat. TTS train apprentices for Charles Hurst Group, The Agnew Group, Donnelly Group and TrustFord, and at the heavy vehicle end of the industry TTS partner employers include Dennison Commercials (Volvo), Road Trucks (Scania), TBF Thompson (DAF), NI Trucks (Iveco) and Diamond Trucks (Renault). TTS also helps recruit and train motivated, job-ready young people who are keen to begin their journey in the industry for smaller independent employers and family businesses throughout Northern Ireland.
Dominic Kelly, Training Manager for Charles Hurst Group had this to say:
“Last year TTS helped us to recruit six aftersales advisor apprentices and four technician apprentices for our franchise dealerships in Belfast and Newtownabbey. The aftersales role is new and is our way of providing an exciting career path for young people entering the motor industry”.
Isobel Allison, Group HR Manager for NI Trucks added:
“We have worked closely with TTS in apprenticeship recruitment and training for a number of years. TTS provide initial filtering and testing of applicants for our depots in Mallusk and Portadown and this ensures that we get the right young people into the company. TTS technical trainers also visit our workplace on a regular basis to assess apprentice competence on the job”.
The Ballymena-based Wrights Group enjoys a close working relationship with TTS for the delivery of its vehicle body and paint apprenticeship, a partnership that has been fostered over a number of years with proven results. John Lynham, Wrights Group Academy Manager, is highly impressed with TTS’s service level:
“As a global business we instinctively know that TTS will deliver highly skilled individuals at the end of the training programme who consistently add value and quality to our paint and finish process. TTS assist with all stages of the apprenticeship journey from recruitment right through to graduation, and they have exceptional facilities that enable our apprentices to learn, grow and develop – without doubt, all of the learners’ needs are catered for. Their “block training” approach rather than day release is perfect for the learner and the business. We are delighted to have TTS as our training partner, and we are always impressed by every member of the TTS team with which we have contact”.
From its purpose-built, modern facility at Nutts Corner Business Park, TTS currently provides training on a ‘block release’ basis for more than 200 employed apprentices. Each apprentice attends the training centre one week every two months for a blend of workshop practical tasks, classroom theory and e-learning. After three years they are fully qualified in their chosen vocational area with Institute of Motor Industry (IMI) Level 3 technical qualifications. Moreover, they are fully productive and ready to make an even greater contribution towards meeting the needs of the business. Due to the recent growth in demand, TTS is currently recruiting an additional technical trainer and investing over £100,000 in modern equipment for training.
TTS has a strong pastoral element to its programmes to ensure young people are progressing well in their development and integrating well into their place of employment.
David Fullerton, Apprentice at AIR Commercial Services in Ballymena commented:
“I could have gone on to university after completing my A-Levels, but I decided on an apprenticeship and I’m really glad I chose this path. I’ll be completing a Level 3 apprenticeship in heavy vehicle repair this summer and I’m looking forward to a successful career in the industry”.
Matthew Mount, Apprentice at Wrights Accident Repair Centre in Dromore agreed:
“I joined TTS in 2016 and have just completed my apprenticeship in car body repair at Wrights Accident Repair Centre in Dromore. I’ve really enjoyed the experience and have now got IMI Level 2 and 3 qualifications through TTS which will serve me well in my future career. I have secured full-time employment at Wrights and I’ll be happy to stay in the job for many years to come”.
TTS is interested in hearing from young people aged 16-25 who are keen to embark on a career in the motor or transport industries and take advantage of the opportunities being provided by employers throughout Northern Ireland. Equally the business is keen to speak to local employers who would be interested in helping young people to ‘join the TTS 100’ in 2019.
*ApprenticeshipsNI is funded by the Department for the Economy (DFE) and the European Social Fund (ESF) and is available to young people between the ages of 18 and 25.
Contacts
Reader enquiries: Martin Hutchinson, CEO, TTS or Robert Deignan, Careers Development Officer, TTS Tel: 028 9082 5653 or email: robertd@transport-training.co.uk
Editorial enquiries: Laura Reeve Tel: 07813 019 475 or email: laura.reeve@genieinsights.com
Notes for Editors
Transport Training Services
Transport Training Services (TTS) is a social enterprise which focuses solely on apprenticeships and career development training specifically for the retail motor trade and transport industry in Northern Ireland. TTS is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Transport Training Board for Northern Ireland. Backed by over 25 years’ experience TTS is a leading, recognised transport training service provider.
https://www.transport-training.com/
IMI Accredited Electric/Hybrid Vehicle Upskill Training Available at TTS
Transport Training Services is responding to industry demand by offering training on electric/hybrid vehicles for fully qualified technicians needing to upskill and qualify to work on electric/hybrid vehicles.
Driven by targets set by government to enable adoption of zero emission cars and vans, there is a very real need to increase technician competence and in turn, consumer confidence that electric and hybrid vehicles can be maintained properly and safely. Recognising this early on, TTS set out to address the issue within Northern Ireland and now has trainers suitably qualified to deliver Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) TechSafe™ courses.
As Northern Ireland’s premier motor industry training specialist, TTS has acquired three hybrid vehicles, including a brand new, top of the range Toyota RAV4, plus an additional new plug-in hybrid to ensure that learners are training on the most up-to-date vehicle specifications.
TTS can offer a range of electric/hybrid courses but for now is focusing primarily on the Level 3 Award in Electric/Hybrid Vehicle System Repair and Replacement qualification (ref 603/1468/0), since this is the most relevant and in-demand requirement currently. This is a two-day course for experienced mechanics/technicians, which enables successful candidates to work safely around EV/hybrid vehicles and includes vehicles that may have damage to their high voltage system.
This training reduces the risk of accidents with these high voltages and the qualification helps employers meet their ‘duty of care’ under the Electricity at Work Regulations, to prevent danger when carrying out work on electrical systems.
Participants will be issued with internationally recognised certification upon completion of an EV course delivered at TTS’s Nutts Corner training facility, and their details will be held on the IMI Professional Register so that motorists can check if technicians at their chosen garage are able to work on their vehicle safely.
So far, feedback from industry and from course participants has been extremely positive, with post-training questionnaires, which cover TTS facilities, course content and trainer knowledge, rating all aspects highly. One trainee commented: “I found the assessor’s information relevant to my field and I’m very happy with the information I’m leaving with”, while others commended the trainers with comments such as “helpful”, “knowledgeable” and even “witty”, and for making them “feel comfortable”.
TTS is also committed to integrating EV/hybrid training into its technical apprenticeships for those already enrolled on its technician apprenticeship programmes.
The Government’s Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) has given its endorsement to the IMI TechSafe™ standards for people working on electrified vehicles.
Martin Hutchinson, CEO of TTS added: “We continually strive to deliver practical training to Northern Ireland’s motor industry technical personnel so they can stay relevant in an industry that is making rapid technological changes. Giving technicians the necessary skills to safely work on high voltage vehicles is just one area that we are currently focusing on”.
The next Level 3, two-day course at TTS, Nutts Corner is 28 and 29 January 2020 and is being offered for the introductory cost of just £299+VAT (including registration and certification fee) for a limited time only. Courses are limited to 10 delegates to ensure sufficient practical work opportunities.
TTS on Target for the 2019 TTS100 Apprentice Recruitment
Transport Training Services has welcomed its first 2019/20 intake of apprentices to its purpose-built training centre at Nutts Corner.
Around 70 apprentices have already been recruited and placed with a range car and commercial vehicle employers across Northern Ireland. Approximately two-thirds of these are light vehicle technician apprentices, with the remainder in heavy vehicle technician, aftersales, body repair and paint, and driving apprenticeship roles. The commercial vehicle driver apprentices start at any time of year.
Included in this year’s intake are three female apprentices – two technician apprentices and one in an aftersales advisor apprenticeship.
All TTS apprentices will start sometime between the beginning of September and the end of October, depending on the course and employer, but all have attended TTS in early September for induction, course registration and preparation for employment.
With the weekly ‘block’ pattern of training that TTS delivers it is possible for apprentices to start at any time of year. Most will start in the autumn but TTS will endeavour to facilitate the needs of employers and young people throughout the year.
As well as heavy and light vehicle technician, body repair and paint, parts and service advisor and commercial vehicle/passenger transport driving apprenticeships, TTS is launching a tyre technician apprenticeship, in collaboration with the National Tyre Distributors Association, and a Traffic Office apprenticeship with the Road Haulage Association.
Because of the success of this year’s recruitment campaign, technical training provision at TTS has been expanded with the employment of an additional trainer, John Walsh. This brings the total number of TTS trainers to six full time and seven associates.
TTS’s 2019/20 apprentice employers are split almost 50:50 between the main car and truck dealerships and independent companies across Northern Ireland. These employers have recognised the importance of bringing new talent into the motor and transport industries via apprenticeships to support business growth or simply to survive. With businesses all competing for the same diminishing pool of qualified technicians, drivers and aftersales staff in both sectors, well-recruited apprentices offer long term sustainability in the labour market.
Martin Hutchinson, CEO of TTS explained, “At TTS we firmly believe the only viable solution to today’s labour market challenges is to bring new blood into the motor and transport sectors via apprenticeships. Industry has a responsibility to secure its own future workforce by training our young people and return on investment studies show that employers reap the benefits quickly”.
Growing and developing your own talent can improve how you work, raise your productivity and increase your profits. Verified research by the Institute of the Motor Industry found that apprentices typically generate a return on investment of between 150 and 300% and can generate profit within 18-24 months, often earlier. Figures produced by another study showed that the average apprenticeship improves business productivity by £214 per week, with the apprentice national minimum wage starting at just £3.90. Additionally, growing the workforce using apprentices reduces long term recruitment and training costs.
If none of the above are good enough reasons to recruit an apprentice, giving a young person a good start in life is a socially responsible and rewarding thing to do. We all had to start somewhere!
TTS apprentices are vetted through a robust assessment programme to ascertain their suitability and are put through basic skills training, so employers are assured of recruits that are eager to learn, adaptable and well prepared for the workplace. Apprentices and employers both benefit from TTS’s Career Development Officer, Robert Deignan, who is the link between both parties, supporting each with every part of the apprenticeship, from recruitment through to training and qualification.
As well as training apprentices to industry standards, TTS can also incorporate brand-specific modules for employers that require tailored training content and work closely with Peugeot/Citroen, Ford, Toyota/Lexus, Kia, Hyundai and in the truck sector DAF, Renault, Iveco and Scania.
Unlike some other apprenticeship providers, TTS apprentices work for their employer five days per week all year round, with the exception of attendance at TTS approximately one week every two months for training. TTS prefers this ‘block release’ model to a weekly day release, because employers can more easily plan workload around the apprentice being away for training.
For apprentices under 25 years old, the cost of the apprenticeship training is fully funded by the Department for the Economy.
Employers considering an apprentice are encouraged to contact Robert Deignan at TTS as soon as possible to ensure recruitment is completed in time for the remaining 2019 intake.
Significant Investment at TTS to Drive Learning Forward
Due to the increasing levels of training being delivered by Transport Training Services at Nutts Corner, significant investment has been made on a number of fronts – namely access and parking facilities, new heavy vehicle equipment and a new computer suite.
Work undertaken by FP McCann over the past few weeks, will significantly improve site access and enhance safety. A new parking layout has also added much needed additional car parking space. This work is part of a wider traffic management scheme within Nutts Corner Business Park.
A brand new computer suite with 20 PCs has also been installed at TTS to meet the needs of the increasing use of online testing, e-Portfolio and e-Learning. The new facility has been possible with financial assistance via the Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council GROW programme.
Having previously invested in individual ‘Electude’ e-learning resources, the new IT suite will enable apprentices and learners to access modern e-learning resources on brand new computers. Electude is the world’s leading provider of automotive e-learning solutions.
“By giving apprentices access to their individual e-learning ‘portal’ on any internet device at any time, the resource allows them to develop knowledge at their own pace as well as indicating to TTS the learners who have the keenest interest in furthering their career,” says Stephen Wilkinson, TTS Training Director.
The new computer suite has been up and running since the beginning of June and is providing huge benefits to young learners and other course participants.
A third recent investment is equipment to further improve on-site heavy vehicle training provision. Six Somers pillar lifts have been acquired and more diagnostic equipment is on the way, including a top of the range Bosch KTS capable of being used with trucks and motorcycles as well as light vehicles.
“We’ve created a dedicated HV workshop and installing the latest equipment is helping us deliver the best practical skills for our HV apprentices,” said Michael Hutchinson, Technical Trainer and HV specialist.
TTS are aiming to further extend and enhance their heavy vehicle training provision to address current and future skills shortages in the industry, most notably in the area of driver and technicians.
Last but not least, a new commercial vehicle driving simulator is due at TTS in the near future. Martin Hutchinson, CEO commented:
“We’re looking forward to commissioning this surprisingly expensive installation. However, it’ll be worth it as the objective is to deliver more efficient and safer commercial driver training, especially for young people on the TTS Commercial Driver training apprenticeship. It’s unfair to send relatively inexperienced young people out on the road in an 18 tonne truck at an early stage of training, therefore the simulator will help them get familiar with controlling a large vehicle to the required standard before going onto the public highway.”
These changes are just part of many ongoing improvements at TTS to serve the local automotive and transport industries, and as always, employers are welcome to visit the facilities and speak to the team.