Training provider JTL prepares to ramp up service with opening of new £1m centre

BRITAIN’S largest and most successful training provider for the electrical, plumbing, heating and ventilating trades, JTL, opens its new £1m National Centre of Excellence in Birmingham today.

Based at Mill Wharf, Aston the 1,930m² property provides a training base for up to 144 apprentices across the different building disciplines as well as those looking to top up their skills in the various professions.

One of the firms already benefiting from the training provider’s help is Wolverhampton-based electrical contractor, Viking Electrics.

When one of its apprentices was struggling with his training, the company called in JTL to provide him with support.

Stuart Lay, training officer at Viking Electrics, said: “JTL do more than just give apprentices trade skills. Last year I had an apprentice who, like many teenage boys, found himself getting distracted away from work. I enlisted the help of JTL and they managed to steer him back on the right track.”

Such was the success of the scheme that Viking recently hired Samuel Griffith-Allan, another JTL apprentice.

“When you get an apprentice from JTL, you know exactly what they’ve gone through. The experience and training they receive is crucial. Most apprentices can say that they wired a fuse box, but it’s the manner in which they do it that can be crucial. When a JTL apprentice says he has wired it, you know that he has done so to all the correct health and safety procedures and to a high quality,” said Lay.

Stuart Navin, West Midlands Assistant Regional Manager at JTL, said: “We work directly with trade businesses to make recruiting apprentices a painless task. Firstly, we run an assessment process on behalf of the employer, ensuring they get a list of candidates who have already been approved.

“We then assist with the interview process and once selected, we organise off-the-job training for the apprentice which in future will take place at our new flagship National Centre of Excellence in Birmingham city centre.”

The training provider carries out assessment visits on its apprentices every 10-12 weeks and works with an employer for up to four years while the apprentice is training for a NVQ Level 3.

It also provides on-going training to help apprentice plan their future career development.