FM Apprenticeships launched in the South West

17 June 2010

A second event to promote one of six new regional apprenticeship schemes in England is being held for FM employers in the South West on 24 June in Bristol.

The apprenticeship programme is being trialled as part of the new Asset Skills Virtual Academy for Business Services pilot, a new project set to alter the training landscape acrossFM . The initiative has prompted huge interest among FM employers, who recognise the benefits of improving skills delivery.
As the economy continues to recover there is widespread acknowledgement among employers of the ongoing need to raise skills in the workforce to retain a competitive advantage, particularly in an economic climate in which efficiency and effectiveness are paramount to success. Apprenticeships have been identified by all political parties as an effective way of developing the highly skilled workforce needed for long term economic prosperity.
“This apprenticeship is a brand new training programme for the industry which we developed with FM employers,” said Karen Waterlow, FM Specialist at Asset Skills. “We believe it will have a big impact on raising skills across the workforce and we want to hear from employers who are interested in getting involved.”
The training will help raise the skills of the diverse FM workforce which includes facilities managers, buildings maintenance teams, cleaners, security guards, receptionists, caterers, gardeners and hospital porters. It will also help the sector in tackling environmental targets through skills improvement in the energy management of buildings.
The South West event will be held at the City of Bristol College’s Cabot Restaurant, Ashley Down Centre, Ashley Down Road, Bristol, BS7 9BU. To register for this event visit www.regonline.co.uk/academyeventbristol or contact Tom Orton at torton@assetskills.org or call the Virtual Academy on 0844 822 2525.

The London network event takes place between 16:30-18:00 on 22 June at Westminster Kingsway College, Victoria Centre, 76 Vincent Square, London SW1P 2PD. To register for this event visit www.regonline.co.uk/FMApprenticeships or contact Tom Orton at torton@assetskills.org or call the Virtual Academy on 0844 822 2525.