In partnership with South West College (SWC), Oakleaf Contracts, a local company based in Magherafelt, will open its doors to host a recruitment open evening on Thursday 19 August 7-9pm for prospective students to find out more about becoming a dry lining apprentice.
In response to industry demand, Oakleaf Contracts, in conjunction with SWC, have just launched their brand new 2021 Dry Lining Apprenticeship Programme, which is now open for applications. This exciting initiative will be delivered through the Department for the Economy’s Apprenticeship NI Programme as a way of upskilling young people to meet current and future industry skills needs.
The drop-in recruitment event allows visitors to come on-site to view the facilities and is a fantastic opportunity for prospective students and their parents to network and gain a more in-depth insight into the brand-new Apprenticeship Programme. Prospective Students can ask questions they need to help them choose the career path that suits them and their interests, and the event will feature live practical demonstrations that will enable them to get hands-on with the various tools. Representatives from SWC will also be in attendance, offering tailored advice and support to assist with applications.
This bespoke programme offers an attractive progression route towards further education at Level-3, with the opportunity to avail of a full-time position at Oakleaf after completing the two-year apprenticeship. Students may also apply for the Scholarship scheme where the two best-performing apprentices will be awarded an impressive £1,000 bursary.
The two-year part-time programme at the colleges Dungannon Campus will provide apprentices with an industry-recognised Level 2 NVQ Diploma alongside gaining paid practical experience and job-specific skills. Students will be fully supported throughout the programme by a workplace mentor and a college training support officer, enabling them to learn, practice and develop the skills required for employment or career progression in the areas of dry lining, metal furring ceilings, suspended grid ceilings, installation of partitions, steel frame systems (SFS), raised access flooring and fire protection.
Michael Scullion, Director at Oakleaf Contracts, said:
“We anticipate that some apprentices will progress into management, whether that’s on-site or office management, such as Site Managers and Engineers, Quantity Surveyors or Estimators. We place a high value on our team, and many staff have progressed from site workers to senior management. The mixture of college learning and site work will give the students an excellent grounding and many opportunities for various routes of career progression at the end of the two-year programme, whether that be to continue in a growing trades sector, or possible further education.”
Stephen Moss, Head of School Natural and Built Environment at South West College, said:
“We are delighted to be involved in this exciting partnership between Oakleaf Contracts and South West College to offer motivated young people a fantastic training and career opportunity in the modern method of construction of Interior Systems. This includes Dry Lining, Metal Partitioning, Suspended Ceilings and Raised Access Flooring installation. This is an outstanding career opportunity that offers motivated apprentices the chance to excel through high level on and off the job training.”
The drop-in event will take place at Oakleaf Contracts Headquarters in Castledawson, Magherafelt. Booking is not essential, but the event will operate under current Covid guidelines.
For further information and to apply for the programme, please visit www.oakleafcontracts.com/careers or email John.McTeggart@swc.ac.uk.