Work experience programme answers skills shortage

Ace Arc has been named East Midlands Work Experience Employer of the Year 2006 for providing a structured and dedicated work experience programme for young people.

The shortage of skilled labour has motivated one welding and fabrication firm to develop a successful work experience to apprenticeship programme.

Now, Ace Arc, of Coalville, Leicestershire, has been awarded Work Experience Employer of the Year 2006 for providing a structured and dedicated work experience programme for young people.

The company provides work experience to school leavers to give them an insight into the industry and to encourage them to choose engineering as a career.

Ace Arc then selects the best candidates to award with an apprenticeship.

Working closely with local schools ensures the best students are put forward for Ace Arc's tailor made work experience and training programme.

"To ensure that we provide the right person with the right type of experience, we invite the school to visit the works so that they can select an appropriate candidate to join our operations".

"We then conduct pre-work experience interviews to identify the aims and objectives of the school and individual and tailor our approach to include these goals", explains Managing Director of Ace Arc, Frank Fairbrother.

The Ace Arc training programme introduces the candidate to all aspects of the engineering industry.

The placement commences with a young person's risk assessment and a health and safety induction.

After an introduction to their duties, working environment and work colleagues they are assigned to a different member of the workforce who they shadow for a period of time.

The candidate is then rotated throughout the works to develop practical welding and engineering skills and to ensure that they are given a thorough insight into Ace Arc's operations.

Throughout his or her time at Ace Arc the individual is given the opportunity to discuss any aspect of their placement with the workshop manager.

At the end of the work experience Ace Arc conducts a one-to-one review of the placement with the candidate where they evaluate achievements, request feedback and provide a written testimonial for their record of achievement.

Almost ten years on Ace Arc has a proven track record of successfully recruiting through work experience placements and has been awarded East Midlands Work Experience Employer of the Year 2006 for its contribution to work experience and training.

"Offering experience with our company not only shows the individual how they could personally integrate into the engineering environment, but gives us the opportunity to invest in the young people in our local community and assess their potential for long term apprenticeships", says Fairbrother.

Ace Arc not only offers school leavers placements, but also provide work experience to young people aged between 14 and 16 who have been excluded from school as part of a Leicestershire Education Business Company (LEBC) initiative.

One such individual came to Ace Arc in January 2005.

After being excluded from school for attendance and behavioural problems he decided to enrol on a welding course at his local college.

Through the LEBC he was referred to Ace Arc for a one-day-a-week work placement.

Ace Arc was so impressed with his enthusiasm and willingness to learn they have awarded him with an apprenticeship.

He has also been awarded a Student of the Year Award by LEBC for his achievements.

Fairbrother comments: "It became increasingly difficult to find and retain skilled engineers and remain competitive within the market".

"Developing our own recruitment programme has enabled us to train and develop young individuals direct from school in accordance with our own ISO standard".

"This has ensured that all work is delivered to the highest quality whilst providing a cost effective service for our clients".

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