Introduction

Occupations covered

There are relevant apprenticeship programmes are available for every occupation within metals companies, including:

• metals processing and handling
  including routes relevant to all metals-specific occupations, such as steelmaking, wire drawing, metal formingand service centre activities
  
• scheduling and production planning
  
• fabricating constructional steelwork
  
• laboratory and metals testing (metallurgy)
  
• technical design
  
• construction contracting
  
• engineering maintenance
  or production
  
• business administration
  
• finance and accounting
  
• sales and customer service

Every apprenticeship programme includes structured development of:

Metals Academy Apprenticeship Services

MetSkill offers a complete service to recruit and train young people for employers in South Yorkshire or the West Midlands, through the Metals Academy.

The Metals Academy will offer metals apprentices a unique package of benefits, that will enhance their learning experience and give them the best possible career prospects in industry. At the same time, it will make the metals industry's 'careers package' more attractive to high calibre, talented young people. In the West Midlands, activities will include partnerships with key schools to offer support in curriculum delivery, work experience placements and access to Apprentice Ambassadors who talk, first-hand about their career.

1. Recruitment

• access to a pool of young people who are interested in apprenticeships
  
• advertisement of your vacancy on the metals industry careers website and to local Connexions services, schools and press
• pre-selection so you only interview suitable candidates.

2. Training Plans that

• are tailored to your company requirements
  
• clearly set out all apprenticeship components including the employer support required
  
• meet government funding and quality requirements.

3. Training management and support including

• a fully co-ordinated programme of induction and training using high quality provision
  
• external assessors or support for your internal assessors
  
• monitoring apprentice progress against apprenticeship requirements from start to completion
  
• expert help and guidance on all aspects of training and employing young people.

Business benefits

• effective co-ordination of all your recruitment and development needs for young people in one convenient service
  
• all practical arrangements and administration are handled for you, including apprentice registration, training and certification
  
• apprentices receive quality assured, fully structured training and development, through the industry-recognised Apprenticeship Programme
  
• all core training and assessment is fully funded
  
• Support and advice is provided throughout by an experienced Apprenticeship Co-ordinator.

Employer commitment

To take on an apprentice you will need to:

1. define a clear job description and person specification for each apprentice position.
   
2. interview shortlisted candidates.
   
3. offer a contract of employment to the successful candidate(s), with specified salary structure, terms and conditions
   (MetSkill can offer guidance on apprentice salaries to help you attract the calibre of applicants you require).
   
4. provide a staff handbook (or equivalent), that gives key information on your company, employee requirements and any other important company information, such as health and safety.
   
5. designate management, supervision and support structures for the apprentice(s), naming the company personnel responsible.
   Please note that identifying a mentor for each apprentice, in addition to their supervisor, has proven to be extremely beneficial to an apprentice’s development.
   
6. ensure a safe working environment for your apprentice that complies with health and safety regulations.
   
7. allocate time for your apprentice(s) to study, conduct project work and attend relevant off-the-job training.
   
8. work with your Apprenticeship Co-ordinator at MetSkill to ensure your apprentice(s) progresses towards successful completion.

Costs and funding

All the core costs of the Metals Industry Apprenticeship Service and apprentice training are fully funded. Companies can also take advantage of other more specialised training to meet specific company needs, for which details and costs are available on request.

Equal Opportunities

MetSkill encourages and supports equal opportunities in the metals industry. Applications for apprenticeship positions are encouraged from all sections of the community to ensure the industry’s workforce reflects the communities in which companies are based. Applications from people with disabilities are encouraged, however it is recognised that the nature of some employment may limit access for those with certain disabilities.

For more details about Apprenticeships and the Metals Academy, contact a member of the Academy team...