The Fastsigns network is encouraging its centre owners to take on apprentices. The initiative is geared towards priming the industry leaders of the future, and it the government’s pledge to boost apprenticeship opportunities.
In recent weeks, three new apprentices have joined Fastsigns centres in Sheffield and Derby and one former apprentice has been appointed as a full-time production specialist in Reading. Typically the apprenticeships last one to two years and result in a level 2 or 3 NVQ.
Garth Allison, UK managing director for Fastisigns, strongly believes that apprenticeships are the ideal way to align education with the industry’s current and future needs. “Employers from all industries complain about the lack of ‘work-ready’ young people. Academic qualifications are all well and good, but they need to go hand-in-hand with practical capabilities. Apprenticeships offer an effective way for young people to get hands-on experience, and they help to address future skill shortages. If enough firms take this view, it could play a vital role in securing the future success of the industry.”
David Cameron has pledged to make apprenticeships the “new norm” for school leavers who decide against going to university.