Overseas apprentices visit Yorkshire

L-R: (Back Row) 2010 Rotherham female
plumbing apprentices Laura Miller and
Emma Pryce with (Front Row) French
plumbing apprentices Pierre Vaillandet
and Nicolas Hermann

How do you say ‘pass me the wrench' in French?

A total of 60 French plumbing apprentices will visit South Yorkshire for three week-long placements over the next 12 months. For two weeks they will undertake work placements within heating and plumbing businesses in Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield. The final week will be spent taking part in a combination of technical training, language training, cultural and project related activities.

Business & Education South Yorkshire (B&E-SY), a strategic body aimed at developing education and business links across the region, has teamed up with French education and training organisation, Les Compagnons du Devoir, to offer overseas Apprenticeship exchanges to plumbing students in France.

Backed by the LSC, the scheme was launched as part of the ‘Leonardo Mobility Project' which is funded through an EU grant aimed at assisting travel for the purpose of experiencing training in other parts of Europe. The exchange will give the apprentices the chance to learn more about the different approaches to their trade in various countries and to experience alternative cultural environments.

French apprentice plumber
Damien Virfollet works with Kier
at Painted Fabrics

Adrian Jones, enterprise manager at B&E-SY, said: "This scheme has been extremely beneficial to all involved, with the main benefit being the strong working relationship that has developed between the South Yorkshire businesses and their European partners. The biggest challenge is the continuous 24-hour programme of responsibility over the placement periods, whilst working within a budget and carrying out risk management throughout all aspects of the project."

Nick Wilson, director of area for the LSC in South Yorkshire, said: "Apprenticeship schemes such as this one are a fantastic opportunity for the region. It gives apprentices the chance to experience different cultures and how their trade can differ in various countries helping them to develop their skills. B&E-SY has done a fantastic job in facilitating these Apprenticeships. Their staff have worked extremely hard, not only to encourage local businesses to get involved, but in sourcing more than 30 families who have been kind enough to host the apprentices throughout their visits."

Maltese Apprentices taking part in
Oracle training

A second South Yorkshire business, Oracle Training Consultants Ltd, has also recently introduced an Apprenticeship exchange scheme with the Maltese Industry Authority, HABIA. Oracle recently welcomed 33 learners and five tutors from Malta who spent three days taking part in industry seminars, gaining assessment opportunities and UK industry experience with local employers.

Justin Tellus, educational director for HABIA Malta, said: "The trip was a huge success and the apprentices have all had some fantastic experiences. We would like to say a huge thank you to the staff at Oracle who have been a great support, not only during the trip, but for the months prior to us arriving in South Yorkshire. They are a credit to our industry and education systems worldwide."

Oracle is now in the process of planning an exchange to Malta in November through the South Yorkshire Leonardo de Vinci Programme Consortium.