Alan Lusty, founder of the multi-disciplinary firm
ADI Group, is celebrating the beginning of another year of the company’s pre-apprenticeship scheme, which has helped a number of young people embark ‘on a rewarding engineering career’.
Launched in 2016 for students as young as 14, the scheme aims to revolutionise the future of engineering and help resolve issues around youth skills development in the STEM sector, driven by concerns over the lack of vocational opportunities for young people to develop an interest in and a knowledge of engineering.
Mr Lusty said: “At ADI, it has always been our mission to invest in the next generation of engineers. We started by setting up our apprenticeship academy but realised there was a strong need to engage children younger than 18. There is a need to drive a passion for the industry in young people; and while post-16 career paths can be effective, it can be too late for others. There are many societal issues surrounding engineering to this day, particularly misconceptions about what it means to be an engineer, as well as a lack of understanding about what engineers do. The work we do as part of our pre-apprenticeship scheme seeks to change this.”
Hands-on trainingThe scheme, which allows successful applicants spend an afternoon per week at ADI’s headquarters for two years, learning hands-on electrical and mechanical engineering skills, allows young people to gain a formal EAL qualification. It also enables them to get a taste for different sides of engineering, allowing them to understand where their strengths and interests lie.
“After the programme, the students can move into any engineering apprenticeship, whether with ADI or elsewhere; and in doing so, fast-tracking their career and allowing them to start earning sooner. We now have full-time employees who started as pre-apprentices, a fact that demonstrates the quality of both our pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programmes. This year, out of the 11 pre-apprentices, four have already started as full-time apprentices at ADI.”
Highlighting the importance of creating vocational routes into engineering, Mr Lusty added: “Many talented engineers come from a university background, and it is great to see that there is enough passion and interest for young people to pursue a degree in engineering, which is obviously an investment and a commitment. However, not everyone is academically orientated, and we need to remember that a substantial part of the engineering sector involves hands-on work, which apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships target incredibly well.
“Ultimately, the biggest issue facing the sector now — and in the near future — is the lack of skilled engineers. Providing high-quality opportunities for young people to build these skills from a young age can make a significant impact, and all engineering businesses have a role to play.”
More details about opportunities at ADI can be found at the website
here.