Durham-based Altec Engineering Group has showcased its commitment to the next generation by joining the 5% club, an industry led initiative focused on driving momentum into the recruitment of apprentices, graduates and sponsored students.
The campaign was initiated by defence technology company QinetiQ with an aim to get the UK’s public and private companies to commit to raising the number of apprentices, sponsored students and graduates on formal programmes to 5% of their total workforce within five years.
The aim of the campaign is to tackle both the skills shortage and youth unemployment in Britain, as well as help the country remain at the forefront of innovation.
It also asks members to publicly report their progress in an annual report.
Membership of the 5% Club reinforces Altec’s already strong commitment to apprenticeship recruitment and training. Currently, 10% of the group’s 150-strong workforce is in various stages of apprenticeship training, either in-house or with local further education colleges and universities.
Altec Engineering CEO, Alastair Waite commented: “We are delighted to be part of an organisation which recognises the benefits which formal apprentice training can bring to both individuals and the business which employs them.
“Apprentices make a significant contribution to our business, not only from the work they do whilst they are training, but also in the stability they provide for the company as we look to the future.
“Bringing our own engineers up through the ranks allows us to be completely confident that we will continue to have the necessary skills and resource to maintain growth within both our current and new market segments.”
Dr Sam Healy, programme director of The 5% Club, added: “We’re delighted to welcome Altec to the initiative. The company’s existing efforts to invest in the next generation are greatly welcomed and together we can strive towards a brighter future for young people in Britain.”
