Partner spotlight
At Aptus, we strive to give young people the chance to learn and flourish, and are proud to partner with further education providers to offer a range of learning opportunities. Here we speak to Martin Banks, employer engagement officer at Wigan & Leigh College, to get his thoughts on the significance of T Levels and apprenticeships, and learn why they’re so vital in helping to address skills gaps.
Tell us about the college’s partnership with Aptus? Our partnership with Aptus Utilities has been a highly productive and rewarding collaboration. We’ve worked together to provide real-world, industry specific experiences for our T Level students. Aptus has been incredibly supportive throughout the process, offering a valuable insight into the day-to-day workings of the utilities sector while also helping to bridge the gap between academic learning and professional practice. This partnership highlights the importance of industry engagement in preparing our students for the world of work and ensuring they gain relevant, practical experience that enhances their learning journey. Which of your students are working with Aptus and what have they been learning so far? Currently, we have two T Level students working with Aptus Utilities within their design team. These students, who began their placement in September, have been focusing on a variety of tasks aligned with their course. They’ve had the opportunity to engage in design processes, collaborate on team projects, and apply their technical skills in real world scenarios. The students are gaining valuable experience in areas such as project design, planning, and technical drawing using AutoCAD. These skills are central to their course and are highly valued in the utilities and engineering sectors.
How important are T Levels for addressing skills gaps in the industry? T Levels play a crucial role in addressing the skills gaps we’re seeing across various industries, including civil engineering and construction. By providing students with high quality, industry specific training, T Levels ensure that young people are equipped with the skills that employers are actively seeking. They offer a clear, structured pathway for students to gain both academic knowledge and practical experience, making them job- ready upon graduation. For businesses like Aptus, T Levels provide a pool of talented individuals who have been trained in a way that aligns directly with the skills needed in the workplace, helping to futureproof their workforce and fill critical gaps in skilled labour.
06 APTUS CONNECTIONS // ISSUE 18
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