Revolutionising Professional Development: TTS Leads the Charge with All Age Apprenticeships
TTS is now offering fully funded training programmes in the form of All Age Apprenticeships designed to upskill new or existing automotive sector staff. Existing staff may undertake apprenticeships if there is a clear upskilling opportunity identified in their personal training plan.
In September last year Department for the Economy (DfE) lifted the age restriction for the ApprenticeshipsNI scheme. Previously apprenticeships were limited to those aged 16 to 24 but now anyone over the mandatory school leaving age is eligible. All Age Apprenticeships therefore present a new way for automotive employers to nurture the professional development of their workforce whilst gaining financial assistance towards its implementation.
Already TTS has seven apprentices over the age of 24, proving the appetite there is from automotive employers for more flexibility in the apprenticeship scheme.
One employer leading the way in the adoption of All Age Apprenticeships is TrustFord, which has three apprentices over the age of 24 with TTS – Cameron Wright, Conner Friel and Niamh Dunn.
Sinéad Reid, HR Business Partner, N Ireland, Channel Islands and Marketing, at TrustFord commented:
“In line with their ambition to stay ahead in a changing world, TrustFord implemented the all-age apprenticeship programme, offering individuals aged 25 and above a route into TrustFord
By expanding access to opportunities across a range of age groups, demonstrated by the experiences of Conner, Cameron, and Niamh, TrustFord has broadened its talent pool, securing a dynamic and skilled team”.
Conner Friel explained the benefits of the TTS training style: “The apprenticeship works absolutely perfectly with my work life. I work from 9 to 5 and then come for a week every 8 weeks to the TTS training academy.”
Cameron Wright praised the apprenticeship training effectiveness: “The apprenticeship programme has enhanced my level of skills in all areas and also helped me with my general work ethic.”
Niamh Dunn added her experience as a female apprentice: “Being a female in the industry can be quite hard but at TrustFord and TTS I am treated as an equal and I’m always supported. I wish I had done an apprenticeship when I was younger, I just never had the confidence to do it. You’re never too old to start again and you’re never too old to change your career path”.
Of All Age Apprenticeships, Stephen Wilkinson Training Director at TTS had this to say:
“Although TTS is best known for its technical apprenticeships such as vehicle technician and body repair programmes, we also deliver a range of programmes to develop talent for all roles across the automotive sector.
Our management and team leading apprenticeships, for example, would be perfect for delivery via All Age Apprenticeships since leadership and management training is typically better suited to more experienced employees.
Likewise, automotive companies could use apprenticeships to re-skill employees from different departments into customer service, parts advisor or service advisor roles using the apprenticeship scheme. Using these government-funded programmes to provide training allows employees to enhance their role or change career direction.
And one interesting area that has great potential is our vehicle sales apprenticeship. All age apprenticeships provide a perfect training path for the development of older new or existing employees in this role.”
To find out about any apprenticeship with TTS, please contact Robert Deignan, Careers Development Officer, on 07736958355 or robertd@transporttraining.org.
3 Reasons All Age Apprenticeships Benefit the Transport Sector
Transport Training Services (TTS) was proud host to the Department for the Economy (DfE) on Thursday 7th September, where All Age Apprenticeships were formally announced. The new initiative expands DfE funded apprenticeships to those aged 25 and over (previously apprenticeships under the DfE ApprenticeshipsNI scheme were limited to those aged 16 to 24). TTS expects the new initiative to revolutionise the apprenticeship landscape for the transport and logistics sector by providing employers with new ways to develop talent, both from within their existing workforces and from wider labour market.
1. Upskilling of Existing Employees
All Age Apprenticeships present a unique opportunity for transport sector employers to invest in the professional development of their existing workforce. Although TTS is best known for its technical apprenticeships such as vehicle technician and body repair programmes, the social enterprise also delivers a range of team leading, management, customer service, warehousing / supply chain and parts / aftersales advisor apprenticeships. These DfE funded programmes are prime for upskilling existing employees who previously weren’t eligible for apprenticeships due to their age.
2. Expanding LGV Driver Training Apprenticeships
All Age Apprenticeships can support transport operators facing shortages of LGV drivers by providing a cost-effective training scheme. Historically the LGV driver apprenticeship was stifled by the age cap of 24 due to the difficulties associated with insuring younger drivers, but with the age restrictions lifted, employers can now tap into a new funded training to ensure a steady pipeline of skilled LGV drivers for the future.
3. A Powerful Lever for Diversity & Inclusion
At the launch event, the DfE’s Head of Skills and Education, Moira Doherty, explained "[An All Age Apprenticeship] provides a powerful lever for inclusion as it gives opportunities for people to re-enter the workforce or change career who might have thought an apprenticeship was no longer an option.”
TTS has long been a champion of getting more females into transport and logistics careers, particularly through its ‘Women in Wheels NI’ initiative, and believes that All Age Apprenticeships can support women - mothers returning to work specifically - to acquire new skills and embark on fulfilling careers.
Speaking at the launch event, Michael Strain, CEO of TTS, said:
“TTS welcomes the department’s decision to launch All Age Apprenticeships and recognises the opportunities this presents for people to upskill or reskill into a rewarding career in the automotive, transportation and logistics industries that we currently work in. This now means that apprenticeships in the transport sector are no longer just for school leavers. The launch of All Age Apprenticeships opens up funded training for all across our industry, creating a win-win scenario for the employer, employee and the economy. We look forward to delivering apprenticeships to people of all ages across Northern Ireland in the coming months and years.”
To find out more about any TTS apprenticeship, please contact Robert Deignan, Careers Development Officer, on tel 028 9082 5653 or via email at robertd@transporttraining.org.
TTS Driver Training Competition Winner Passes Test!
In recognition of the need to get new drivers into the sector, we recently gave away a free driver training course to support one lucky winner to get qualified and start a new career. To enter the competition, entrants had to comment on a TTS Facebook post, telling us why they should win.
We are very pleased to announce that Rozelle Mulligan, who won the competition, has successfully achieved a Category C (Class 2) licence and passed Module 4 CPC.
The judges for the competition felt that Rozelle was a worthy winner because she "made a real effort in attending the Women in Wheels NI event and spoke with emotion and a drive to succeed".
Congratulations to Rozelle and we wish her all the best for the future!
‘Women in Wheels NI’ Event Demonstrates Demand for Automotive & Transport Careers by Women
Transport Training Services hosted the first ever Women in Wheels NI event on Sunday 6th March to coincide with International Women’s Day.
The event called Women Driving Change, which was kindly sponsored by Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council, offered females of all ages from across Northern Ireland the opportunity to find out about the wide range of career opportunities in the automotive and transport/logistics sectors.
Participants took part in interactive activities, including getting behind the wheel of a truck or bus and getting hands-on with vehicle maintenance demonstrations. The event also had speakers from a broad cross-section of the motor and transport sectors, from truck and bus drivers, vehicle technicians, fleet and transport managers, female business owners and many more. A range of employers were also there to talk about live job opportunities on the day, including Woodside Logistics Group, Translink, Bryson Recycling, Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service, DHL Supply Chain, Manpower, Mercedes-Benz Truck & Van, and Donnelly Group.
With more than 120 people through the doors at TTS and 72 getting behind the wheel of a truck or bus, the event was a huge success. As well as practical activities such as vehicle technician demonstrations and vehicle paint technician displays, a range of panel discussions, hosted by Pamela Dennison, ran throughout the day with speakers from a broad cross-section of the sectors being promoted.
In addition to Automotive, Transport & Logistics and HGV Driver panels, a Compliance and Fleet Management panel gave attendees the chance to find out about career possibilities that may be lesser known roles to anyone outside of the industry.
Siofra McClure, Recruitment Co-Ordinator at Woodside Logistics Group had this to say:
“At Woodside Logistics Group, our aim is to continue to build an inclusive culture where all our staff feel welcome and valued. We recognise there is a need to encourage more women into the transport and logistics industry and we are proud to work with partners like Women in Wheels NI to show the opportunities we have for women interested in a career in logistics and build on the progress we have already made.
We were delighted to be a partner at the inaugural Women Driving Change event at the Transport Training Services on Sunday 6th March. The event was a huge success and really highlighted not only the opportunities available for women in the industry but the amount of women in Northern Ireland who want to break down the barriers and start a career in logistics. We are excited to continue our work to drive inclusion and we look forward to working with our colleagues in the industry to provide more opportunities for women.”
Fiona Gallery, HR Officer at Donnelly Group added: “Thank you for such an inspiring day! It was great to meet so many passionate women who are interested in a career the automotive industry. Donnelly Group are very proud to support and work in partnership with such a fantastic event.”
One participant, Zoe McVey, said: “Thank you so much for today. It was so interesting. I really enjoyed the practical aspect too. I am definitely going to do my HGV training. Thanks for helping me decide!”
Another, Stephanie Blain, added: “Great day all round. It has totally inspired me! I have plenty of homework and reading to do…Hopefully I’ll be going forward into the future for something that really interests me.”
And Alex Jay, had this to say: “Absolutely class!...I've been struggling a lot lately and today was such an amazing experience. I’m still smiling from my drive in the fire engine! So many lovely people sharing their experiences in various careers has really given me inspiration. Thank you so much to everyone who spent time chatting with me.”
Other comment included: “a new career beckons” and “change of career direction I think”.
With less than 2% of vehicle technicians and large goods vehicle drivers in NI, and just 14% of all UK logistics workers being female, the organisations involved in this event are committed to attracting more women into a range of historically male-dominated careers.
Michael Strain, CEO of TTS, commented: “I have no doubt that many of the women in attendance will go on to take up careers in automotive or transport, having seen the response on the day and the very positive feedback that we have received since. We couldn’t have been more pleased to see the fantastic turn out at the first ever Women in Wheels NI event.”
TTS runs a Facebook Group (www.facebook.com/groups/womeninwheelsni) which now has more than 340 members, a combination of automotive and transport industry professionals and women interested in careers in these sectors.
Due to the success of this inaugural Women in Wheels NI event, TTS hopes to run another one later in the year.
TTS To Host Women Driving Change Event
- Have a go at truck or bus driving in a safe environment
- Take part in interactive vehicle workshop activities and demonstrations
- Speak to and hear from females working in automotive, transport and logistics
- Speak to employers in automotive, transport and logistics about career opportunities with them
- Translink
- NI Fire & Rescue Service
- Bryson Recycling
- Woodside Logistics Group
- Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council