CIBSE EVENT | APPRENTICESHIPS BUILDING A FUTURE WITH APPRENTICES Apprenticeships are a valuable, yet underused, resource in the building services industry. At an event led by the CIBSE FM & Controls groups, the benefits of bringing apprentices into the workplace were discussed. Molly Tooher-Rudd reports Apprenticeships can be an attractive alternative to university S kills shortages across the building services industry are proving to be a major obstacle to the timely delivery of high-performing, low carbon buildings. For many, studying full-time at university is not an option and apprenticeships are an attractive alternative but the pathway remains underused. So, the CIBSE FM & Controls group recently held an event on how apprenticeships can launch careers and deliver skills. A panel of senior employers and CIBSEs 2021 Apprentices of the Year, Harry Playfair (technician level) and Josie Cheeseman (degree level 5-7), talked about their experiences and explored the benefits of apprenticeships for organisations and future professionals. I didnt like school and its teaching environment, so an apprenticeship really appealed to me. I still wanted to learn, but also be independent and earn money; an apprenticeship allowed me to do all of those things, said Darren Wright, global commissioning and building performance evaluation leader at Arup. Wrights path into engineering has made him a strong advocate for this route into the industry, and he urged employers to recognise the value of this type of learning. An apprenticeship should be seen as a different career path to the same outcome, as it was for me, he said. Tailoring relevant skill sets through training means organisations can build the team they need. Inspiring the next generation and promoting long-term development from highly experienced employees has a net positive impact on a business, Wright said. Sean Harlow, associate director, and sustainability and technical services manager at BNP Paribas Real Estate, said the industry has experienced a 50% reduction in apprentice uptake since the 1980s, and there isnt enough investment in apprenticeship programmes to close the current skills gap. Empowering new engineers at multiple levels of skill is crucial, especially for specialist industries. The social impact of apprenticeships must also be recognised, said Harlow. It gives young people an opportunity for meaningful work. Harry Playfair is a building services project engineer apprentice at NG Bailey, and is currently working on his level 4 qualification. He is keen to change perspectives on this route into employment. An apprenticeship provides individuals with a wage while working towards nationally recognised qualifications, he said. When I left school, the dominant focus was on taking the traditional university route; I didnt hear of many opportunities from apprenticeship providers. After leaving school in 2017, Playfair studied at college for a BTec level 3 extended diploma in engineering before starting at NG Bailey in 2019. He has been able to balance studying and gaining practical experience on projects, with 20% of his time spent on academic training away from daily workplace duties. Josie Cheeseman said the opportunities and advancements she has been able to access so early in her career would not have been possible if she had taken the university route. She joined WSPs rail team in 2019 and is currently in the fourth year of her apprenticeship. Her projects have focused on the HS2 line, across a variety of disciplines. My apprenticeship has given me a head start into the working world, she said. Ive been encouraged to try everything and have been given a lot of responsibility. Cheeseman particularly enjoys the financial independence, and the knowledge that she wont be tied down with massive student loans like so many others. She acknowledged there may be a few drawbacks to this pathway, with big time demands and the feeling of missing out on the university experience. Overall, however, Cheeseman is a strong proponent of apprenticeships. My experience really has been nothing but positive, she said. I feel that I am equipped with many skills, and reckon they will stand me in good stead for the future. Jon Belfield, CIBSE IT & Controls committee member, concluded by summarising the benefits of apprenticeships as outlined by the panel, but said there must be more communication about their potential. Apprenticeships need to be rebranded as aspirational and socially, economically and educationally viable, he said. CJ www.cibsejournal.com December 2022 71 CIBSE Dec 22 pp71 Controls event.indd 71 25/11/2022 18:10