Industry rallies round Carillion apprentices

JTL and CIPHE are working to support those apprentices affected by the collapse of construction giant Carillion.

Carillion went into compulsory liquidation on 15 January, leaving almost 20,000 UK staff at risk of losing their jobs.

Since then, training provider JTL has been working to try and find vacancies for those Carillion apprentices not currently guaranteed a placement.

Commercial director Liam Sammon says JTL has 26 learners on an apprenticeship program with Carillion.

“The good news is just under half our Carillion apprentices have now secured new or ongoing employment that has preserved their apprenticeships.  Our Training Officers are using their contacts with other employers to do everything they can to secure employment for the others. These are difficult times for a whole raft of ex-Carillion employees at all levels, but we are understandably concerned first and foremost for those young people that we have been working with, in some cases for more than three years.”

As a charity, JTL is able to provide a financial incentive of £1,500, through an ‘adoption grant’, to any employer who takes on a JTL apprentice who has been made redundant. Liam says JTL is keen to hear from any mechanical engineering services or heating and ventilating employers who may be able to help.

JTL currently has more than 6,000 apprentices across England and Wales and works with more than 3,000 employers.

Meanwhile, the Chartered Institute of Plumbing & Heating Engineering (CIPHE) is offering proactive support and complimentary trainee membership to apprentices affected by Carillion’s collapse.

Tim Sainty (pictured), CIPHE’s membership director, says: “When the country’s second-largest construction company goes into liquidation, there are fears that a domino effect will see a vast number of other firms affected. In times like these, the industry needs to pull together, not be fractured apart. We hope to get a number of apprentices placed through our UK-wide membership network. This is not something we can do without support from the wider industry, members and non-members alike, we need all those looking to take on an apprentice to come forward too.”

The CIPHE is urging any Carillion apprentices looking for a new employer, or any members interested in taking on an apprentice, to get in touch by calling 01708 463102 or emailing tims@ciphe.org.uk.