Total People puts apprenticeships in the spotlight
Industry skills specialist Total People has outlined its approach to training vehicle engineering apprentices, and emphasised the importance of employers working in partnership with apprentices’ trainers.
“Taking on an apprentice requires an investment of time and resources to ensure that they succeed,” said Graham Watts, cluster manager, automotive, at Total People.
“They need the right support mechanism in place to enable them to achieve their goals and support your business. This partnership approach is the key to success and is where we can help you.
“There are plenty of challenges in training an apprentice to ensure that they have the skills to do the job, the most up-to-date knowledge, the confidence to succeed and even know the importance of simple things like punctuality.
“Some of them we can, as training providers, solve ourselves… But the best way to get the best possible result for your company and your apprentice is by working together in partnership with your training provider.”
Total People opened its new £750k dedicated training facility just over two years ago.
“The addition of large roller shutter doors to accommodate large HGV and PSV vehicles, a brand-new mezzanine area for classroom sessions and a new mechanical and electrical services installation have given our learners an 
opportunity to learn theory and practice in the same building, with the latest tools and equipment,” explained Graham (pictured right).
“Speaking of newer and better learning environments, we are about to launch our new Moodle learning resource. This will allow all our employers and students to access our wider curriculum on-demand.”
He also highlights the importance of staying up-to-date with emerging technologies.
“We engage with our tutors to ensure they research current trends in technology and help them build resources in this area to share with their students.
“We also arrange ‘back to work’ activities where our teachers go back to the shop floor to learn for themselves how this technology works in the real world. This is critical to understanding exactly what your business needs from us, and from your apprentices.
“‘Training the trainers’ doesn’t end there. We are constantly working with End Point Assessment and Awarding Organisations to look at specific courses that our tutors can complete to enhance their knowledge. One example is The Institute of the Motor Industry, which already runs a multitude of online electronic courses and physical courses across a range of emerging technologies.
“And finally, working with our VLE partner Electude we can keep our staff and students up to date as and when new technologies emerge.”
However, working together with employers to understand exactly what they need from their apprentices is the only way a tailor-made learning programme can be built (within the confines of the Apprenticeship Standards), says Graham.
“The teaching doesn’t start and stop at our front door, either. A critical part of your apprentice’s development is going to be back in your garages and workshops. We can give you the support you need to properly support them.”
