The skills collaboration between British Glass and Siemens, set up to boost apprenticeship numbers, has seen the creation of 15 apprentices in the glass industry this week.
The agreement, signed in May, aims to pave the way for closer skills and training collaboration across the sector, and set out to further the aims of British Glass’ The Glass Academy
This is a training and skills development initiative co-funded by Government and the glass industry, enabling the sector to compete in manufacturing markets on a global scale and secure the future of an industry currently worth an estimated £2.5bn to the UK annually.
Dave Dalton, CEO of British Glass, said creating industry-ready skills and providing an alternative occupational route for young people is critical in addressing the skills shortage in both UK manufacturing and the glass industry.
“Apprenticeships are a vital part of our approach to developing engineering skills to secure the future of our industry, providing young people with an invaluable opportunity to learn on the job and allowing employers to build a workforce with the practical skills their business needs,” he said.
“Siemens has a strong reputation within the skills and training arena so we are delighted to be partnering with them in an effort to put the power back in the arms of employers when it comes to recruiting and training apprentices.”
The 15 apprentices will be based at manufacturing sites in Sheffield, Leeds, Knottingley, Chester and Barking at companies including Allied Glass, Quinn Glass, Ardagh, Viridor and Poulten & Graf.
Martin Hottass, responsible for apprenticeships at Siemens, said: “We are already seeing the mutual benefits of our partnership, bringing more talented young people into industry and providing a first-class apprenticeship programme that is on a par with traditional educational routes.
“We are giving young people a chance to ‘earn while they learn’ and to develop tangible workplace skills along with continuing their education.”
