With National Apprenticeship Week still fresh in the memory, EIC highlights some of the resources available to apprentices looking for support during the early stages of their careers.

Our apprentices are heavily impacted by the factors that are affecting our industry. On a lower wage and balancing college work with their training, apprentices are vulnerable to suffering with their mental health, whilst combatting the tribulations of the financial climate and the pressures faced in their early career. Together, we can work to create a safe space for those new to our industry and learning their trade.

Addiction

Substance abuse (drugs and alcohol) and gambling addictions are increasing among apprentices and this is a pressing concern. It’s important that we educate our industry on risks, where to find support and how to cope utilising positive coping strategies. Support may be offered to those who are experiencing addiction through the creation of a safe and non-judgemental environment that promotes the use of signposting to organisations that can provide specific and tailored support to the presenting issues. Organisations such as Al-Anon, AA, NA, GA, GamCare and GamAware can help.

Eating Disorders

An eating disorder is a medical diagnosis that is based on eating patterns and can include bulimia, anorexia, binge eating disorder, OSFED, ARFID, Pica, rumination disorder and diabulimia. Not every eating problem will be diagnosed as an eating disorder. Further information on the different types of eating disorders is available at www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/eating-problems/types-of-eating-disorders.

Self-Harm

Whilst apprentices are at high risk of self-harming, anyone can be affected and may self-harm. Self-harm is a way in which some people cope with very difficult feelings, painful memories or overwhelming situations. In some cases, self-harm has been described as a way to express something too challenging to put into words, to turn thoughts into something visible, to release the psychological pain and to feel in control. Reasons that someone may start self-harming include: pressures at work or school, bullying, money concerns, bereavement, relationship breakdowns, health problems, increase in stress and low self-esteem. Further information on how to help yourself if you are self-harming is available at: www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/self-harm/helping-yourself-now/.

Mental Health Awareness Training

The EIC is offering industry apprentices 15 mental health awareness training modules for free. The course has been designed to give:

• An understanding of what mental health is and how to challenge the stigma
• A basic knowledge of some common mental health issues
• An introduction to looking after your own mental health and maintaining wellbeing
• Confidence to support someone in distress or who may be experiencing a mental health issue

Apprentices who complete this course will be able to:

• Define mental health and understand its importance
• Recognise the signs of mental health challenges in themselves and their peers
• Access resources for seeking help and support if needed
• Contribute to a stigma-free environment that prioritises mental health in the workplace
• Understand the basics of self-care for maintaining mental wellbeing

If you are interested in accessing any of the training courses, you can sign up through the online platform – https://eictrainingco.org/login/index.php. For businesses looking to invest in training packages, contact the EIC directly training@eictradingco.org.

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Unleash your potential for winning IT and Data Infrastructure projects

The EDA’s Product Knowledge Modules help businesses like yours create cross-selling and up-selling opportunities by building knowledge and confidence. These training modules have won a Princess Royal Training Award so you can be assured of their value.

IT and Data Infrastructure is one of 12 training courses in the programme. The EDA modules are completely flexible and can be studied in any order or combination. You choose only the training your team needs.

 E-learning option

All the EDA training modules are available in a digital format instead of a printed textbook. The digital learning option is a complete e-learning experience with videos and interactive content. The EDA team is happy to talk you through your options and can give you a demonstration of the new e-learning platform.

IT and Data Infrastructure training module covers:

• Information technology/data communications
• Uninterruptible power supply
• Structured cabling
• Cabinets and racks
• Connectivity
• Termination
• Test equipment
• Cloud computing and data centres
• Quality and best practice

Years of knowledge to give your team a commercial edge

City & Guilds accredited, this training programme harnesses decades of combined expertise from product experts at EDA manufacturers and allied trade associations to create an accessible and practical training opportunity for you and your team.

EDA Product Knowledge modules are also approved for Continuing Professional Development by The CPD Certification Service.

Test your knowledge

Have a go at this quiz sampled from the IT and Data Infrastructure module. Then check your answers below. If the results show that you need to boost your team’s know-how, talk to the EDA today.

Q1 What is a LAN?

Q2: True or False? Most small UPS are maintenance-free.

Q3: What three elements make up a basic optical fibre?

Q4: Name the two types of wiring schemes?

Q5: What is the requirement for the installer when issuing warranties?

Q6: List the four types of data centre.

Scroll for Answers

Q1: Local Area Network – a group of network devices connected together usually limited to a single building or a group of buildings in a limited area
Q2: True. Most small UPS are maintenance-free
Q3: 1. Core 2. Cladding 3. Primary coatin
Q4: 1. T568A 2. T568B
Q5: Must have formal product training
Q6: 1. Enterprise 2. Hosted 3. Co-location4. Cloud services

How did you do?

Full marks: Well done!

3 – 5 out of 6: Not bad. Could the EDA training help you to fill in any gaps in your knowledge and help you progress in your career?

Less than 3: The EDA Product Knowledge Programme could be just what you need to boost sales.

Watch the video and download the course directory

There’s plenty of information online at www.eda.org.uk, including video and a downloadable course directory giving you a summary of what’s covered in each of the 12 training modules.

The EDA team is ready to help. Call 020 3141 7350 or email training@eda.org.uk.

For more information, click here

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This year Aico has been working with JTL Training in Ashford, Kent to provide their students with Aico’s free, award-winning Expert Installer Training.

JTL is one of the largest work-based learning providers in England and Wales working with over 3,800 businesses from large corporations to small local suppliers. JTL is currently working with over 8,000 learners and trains more apprentices than anyone else in the building services and engineering sector.

Aico’s FIA CPD accredited Expert Installer Training is designed to ensure electrical contractors have all the information they need to install domestic fire and carbon monoxide alarm systems. Guaranteeing effective fire safety protection for customers relies on alarm systems being installed correctly. It is important that young people who are entering the work environment are given the correct information when it comes to installing life safety devices.

The students at JTL were also provided with information and a demonstration of the HomeLINK Connected Home Solution. The system can extract and collate data directly from alarm heads and Environmental Sensors and be made available from a user-friendly dashboard. These actionable insights enable preventative measures and proactive maintenance of Landlords’ housing portfolios.

Once students have completed Expert Installer training, they are invited to join the Aico Installer Community – a connected online platform built to support Expert Installers. Members of the community are eligible to participate in Aico’s free-of-charge City & Guilds Assured Training – Domestic Fire &CO Alarm Systems.

Aico’s Regional Specification Manager (RSM), Paul Barrett, who provided the training, added: “Educating future generations is one of the most rewarding parts of my role. It has been great to work with Russell Griffiths and Dave Cunningham educating their students on the importance of installing Domestic Fire and CO alarms to British Standards BS 5839-P6 and BS 50292. It is now becoming an annual event and I hope we can roll the training out to all their colleges.”

JTL’s Senior Electrical Tutor, Russell Griffiths, commented: “I have been teaching electrical installations for 17 years and it has always baffled me that fire alarms do not form more of a part of the qualification than they do. So, with this in mind, I made an approach to Paul Barrett of Aico to see if the company could provide CPD to our learners here at JTL Ashford.

“On meeting with Paul, I could tell that Aico were going to be very proactive partners in the assistance they were to give us, and it was fantastic to hear about the Expert Installer training that they could provide for our learners. We arranged a date for Paul to come in and deliver the training and I have to say it was of great benefit to our learners. Students were actively engaged from start to finish and all were provided with a certificate of completion, that they could add to their CPD files and off-the-job training logs.

“All learners found the session very useful and were happy with gaining a better understanding of domestic smoke alarm systems and the different types of protection offered with Aico products, Paul was very professional and able to deliver a good session to our learners with his expert knowledge.

“Moving forward, Paul has arranged for a bespoke display board to be made for our workshop enabling the learners to have access to not only demonstrate products but also can be made live to enable learners to test functionality. I hope that we can have a Paul back every year to deliver to our learners because the service that Aico and Paul provide is a valuable addition to our curriculum here and I believe that it should be used widely throughout our organisation.”

Supporting education is a big focus for Aico and they have a dedicated team of 29 RSMs, delivering fully accredited CPD courses across the UK.

To find out more, you can find your local RSM here

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