New apprenticeship to drive targeted recruitment and produce site-ready trainees

Environtec to trial a new asbestos apprenticeship scheme

Environtec will trial a new asbestos apprenticeship scheme this summer as part of industry efforts to strengthen technical skills and drive new talent to the asbestos sector.

Environtec is one of more than 20 UK organisations that have already engaged with the scheme designed by technical apprenticeships provider, Tiro, and Asbestos Testing and Consultancy Association (ATaC) to tackle what the industry is describing as a large ‘recruitment void’.

A recent article by Asbestos Removers Contractors Association (ARCA) outlines that as the average age of surveyors and analysts is mid to late 40s, and with industry experts rapidly approaching retirement, decades of site-specific expertise are at risk if talent with specific, technical skills are not recruited swiftly.

Apprenticeship will provide quicker, more direct routes into industry

Further research reveals that asbestos organisations need professionals who have valuable, hands-on experience backed up by qualifications. A recent article by ARCA in The Journal For Asbestos Management Professionals states that the programmes offered in the apprenticeship were shaped by employer feedback across the asbestos sector, and provide a more focused route into two specific disciplines:

• Site-based analysts and surveyors (aligned to RSPH Level 3 Award in Asbestos Air Monitoring and Clearance Procedures)
• Lab-based bulk analysts (aligned to RSPH Level 3 Award in Asbestos Bulk Analysis).

The adapted programmes are designed to ‘strengthen workplace readiness’, ‘improve workforce planning’ and ‘provide a faster return on investment for businesses’. With trainees knowing their chosen route into industry from the beginning, learning outcomes are skills-focused, benefitting both learner and employer, and helping to improve industry standards into the future.

“The changes mean our trainees are site-ready”

Commenting on the new apprenticeship scheme, Environtec Managing Director, Paul Shaw, said: “While we’re in the early stages of trialling the scheme, I’m optimistic that the new apprenticeship will further help us to recruit talent in the future. The changes will ensure trainees are site-ready, and the defined 12-month cohorts mean that our teams can plan and manage incoming and existing talent more easily.”

Key takeaways: Tiro/ATaC apprenticeship

• New apprenticeship formed incorporating feedback from asbestos employers.
• Asbestos employers use Tiro to recruit new staff, develop skills of existing employees or both. Tiro manages all of the recruitment process.
• Two new programmes featured will provide more direct routes into industry, with the aim of closing the skills gap that is emerging in industry.
• Programmes for site-based analysts and surveyors and lab-based bulk analysts programmes are delivered over 12 months, and will help workforce planning for employers.
• Technical RSPH Level 3 qualification embedded into the apprenticeship as standard.
• Apprentices can be signed up to roles within 35 days via Tiro’s recruitment team, and can receive a range of benefits after completion, such as a 1-year membership with the Asbestos Management Institute.

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