Thinking of using an apprenticeship scheme?

Have you noticed the gaps in the labour force? Do you struggle to get enough hands on-site sometimes? And is it impacting your ability to deliver projects – and, ultimately, your bottom line?

At progressive, we always believe there’s a flip side. There’s a wealth of opportunity for young talent seeking an avenue into our industry – which is why we’ve created an apprenticeship scheme that gives local people the chance of a bright future and ensures continuity of skilled labour in our sector for years to come.

Currently, we’re the only local provider offering a Roofing and Cladding Site Installer Apprenticeship approved by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB). But by working together with other businesses, we can change that. We can provide you with the blueprint to recruit candidates to use our scheme.

why use our apprenticeship scheme?

• By using our scheme, you can actively fill the employment gaps that affect our industry.
• You can ensure the continuity of local, well-trained labour with individuals being taught the same disciplines in the same way. You can deliver the specific hands-on skills you are looking for as an employer.
• And you can give something back to your community by providing a safe and supported environment for young people to kick start their career.

how it works

Working with the Construction Industry Training Board, we have rewritten the framework for teaching Roofing & Cladding at Level 2, and the development of Level 3 is underway.

Just like other apprenticeships, our scheme is fully funded. Candidates can apply for Government funding that covers up to 100% of the programme cost, which is arranged via the training partner. In some cases, grants from the CITB are also available.

what we offer

By working with three different training partners, we’ve broadened our apprenticeship offering.

Greenlight Safety & Training
The current programme involves three back-to-back college days a month working at the Greenlight Training centre in Plymouth. The rest of the time is spent on-site with existing labour operatives, supported by progressive. The scheme runs for 20 months, with the successful apprentices achieving a Level 2 Apprenticeship in Roofing & Cladding with the option to progress further.

Exeter College
We work with Exeter College to provide office-based apprenticeships and T-Levels which focus on vocational skills. Students attend college four days a week and go into the workplace on the fifth day for real-life industry experience. And, as an employer, you get first sight of new talent entering the industry.

Building Greater Exeter
There is a perception that construction is a sector you enter when all other avenues have been exhausted. It’s BGE’s mission to change that perception. Our role as a partner is to inspire the next generation of talent, highlighting the multiple career opportunities in construction via local careers fairs and school visits. Our partnership with BGE enables us to play an active role in shaping the future of construction in our area.