Apprenticeship and Skills Hub

Skills & Apprenticeship Hub starting in:

Join us at the Installer Show in NEC Birmingham
25-27 June 2024

Simon Acres Group is an industry ambassador of apprenticeships, training and self-development in the Kitchen Bedroom Bathroom & Merchant industries.

By researching problems and finding solutions on how to hire more apprentices, we aim to support the industry in addressing the shortage of talented individuals, thus minimising future workforce challenges.

What we have learnt so far:

1. Choose a training provider and for non-levy payers, (wage bill less than £3m) you may now receive 100% funding for the apprenticeship training costs.
2. There are many apprenticeship providers – we can help to choose the most relevant and proven
3. From 1st April 2024, the minimum wage for apprentices will be £6.40 per hour, applicable to those aged 16-18 and for 19 or over, who are in their first year.
4. There are payment grants available to employers £1,000 plus for apprentices at the start of their apprenticeship.
5. The apprentice’s working hours will need to be 20% spent off-the-job training.
6. On top of coursework, successful apprentices are marked pass, merit, or distinction after typically, a written skills test, practical demonstration of work and a professional discussion with an assessor.

Our Skills Hub at The Installer Show 2024

During the show we will privide answers on:

Speakers timetable

Tuesday 25th June

10:30 am – Steve Allen / Dunavox
11:00 am – Barry Moss / Leap
12:00 pm – Natalie Cole / Fiesta
12:30 pm – Shane Stenning / Didac
1:00 pm – Malcolm Scott / The KBSA
2:00 pm – Alex Ainge / Cyncly
3:00 pm – Hannah Hockley / The Apprenticeship Partner

Wednesday 26th June

10:30 am – Steve Allen / Dunavox
11:00 am – Barry Moss / Leap
12:00 pm – Derek Williams / A&P
12:30 pm – Shane Stenning / Didac
1:00 pm – Luke Wedgbury / The KBSA
2:00 pm – Alan Wallace / AAN
3:00 pm – Alex Ainge / Cyncly

Thursday 27th June

10:30 am – Steve Allen / Dunavox
11:00 am – Barry Moss / Leap
12:00 pm – Andy Gamble / Merchants Apprenticeship
12:30 pm – Shane Stenning / Didac
1:00 pm – Malcolm Scott / The KBSA
2:00 pm – Dale Willis / My Great First Job
3:00 pm – Alex Ainge / Cyncly

Check what our experts said on our previous events:

Implementing an apprenticeship program in your company – Angela Borman Chair of AAN

During our Careers Day events, we have discovered numerous barriers that deter businesses from taking on an apprentice. Some of these barriers are closely linked to misinformation or knowing where to find information. The apprenticeship process can be challenging and is perhaps not well-promoted, causing company owners to prematurely abandon their search for answers. If you’re considering hiring an apprentice, we strongly recommend listening to the full interview. Angela addresses the barriers and with questions, provides links to resources where you can find solutions for implementing an apprenticeship program in your company. Useful links from the interview:

1) Jargon – where to find a glossary of terms: Apprenticeship glossary | Undergraduate, Apprenticeships | UCAS >>LINK<<

2) How to hire / the actual process – who / where: Recruiting an apprentice (apprenticeships.gov.uk) >>LINK<<

3) Cost and grant understanding – who pays what and when: Employing an apprentice: Get funding for apprenticeship training – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) >>LINK<<

4) Wages brackets The National Minimum Wage in UK >>LINK<<

How the BMF can help you to hire apprentices – Kerry Wilson

Kerry Wilson from the BMF gave an insightful presentation at our KBB and Merchant Apprenticeship Day speaking on how the BMF supports the industry with hiring more apprentices.

Kerry delivers a wealth of direct answers that would be ver yusefull before any business consider hiring an apprentice.

The skills gap in our industry is growing and something needs to be done, check out the video below where Kerry’s passion for this subject shines through!

The importance of diversity within employment – Kasim Choudhry

There is nothing better than an enthusiastic speaker!

During our KBB and Merchant Apprenticeship Career’s Day, Kasim Choudhry from Pathway Group gave an informative and engaging speech on diversity and inclusion within apprenticeships and the workplace. 👏

From speaking on topics such as neurodiversity, understanding your employees struggles and much more the presentation was truly inspiring and one to listen to.

How to encourage school leavers to become an apprentice – Adam Palmer

Educating people about the opportunities in our industry is important, especially for young people who are looking to start their careers!

Adam Palmer from Moulton College spoke at our KBB and Merchant Apprenticeship Career’s Day, giving us an industry insight into learners’ minds. 🤯

Speaking on how students benefit from business visits, case studies and the importance of interacting this presentation is a must-watch!

Thank you once again Adam for speaking about this important topic!

WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO OUR INDUSTRY IF WE FAIL TO DELIVER APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS

Young people are the future of our industry!

Stephen Johnson, the Managing Director of Quooker, delivered an emotive and inspirational speech at our KBB and Merchant Apprenticeship Careers Day in which he bought to light the importance of investing in young people.

A young and dynamic workforce results in innovation and productivity, our industry is looking for it’s next generation.

Thank you once again Stephen for speaking about this important topic!