Kitsons, the specialist distributor of technical insulation, is proud to be working with the Thermal Insulation Contractors Association (TICA) to help support apprentices – giving a grant to help five Level Two apprenticeships with their accommodation cost.
With this specialist sector in urgent need of young talent, the intention of this grant is to help eliminate potential barriers. There is currently very limited funding available for apprentices in Scotland and no funding at all in Wales. Therefore, this grant is a practical and immediate intervention which will help support them through the programme.
The apprenticeship funding partnership with TICA was announced as the Kitsons brand was relaunched as part of the SIG group at the end of 2023. Providing the funding support signals the commitment of the organisation to developing a skilled workforce. The donation will be made to the Insulation and Environmental Training Trust Ltd (IETTL) which is a charitable organisation working with TICA to oversee and assess the apprenticeship programme.
The company’s donation will be split equally amongst five candidates. Any thermal insulation contractors who employ apprentices to live and work in Scotland and Wales can apply for the grant. The employing contractor doesn’t need to be TICA member, although if not a member they will have to pay the associated non-member cost for apprenticeship training. The grant specifically applies to apprentices enrolled on the Level 2 Thermal Insulation Operative programme.
Speaking on the importance of supporting apprentices’ entry into the industry, Shaun Byrne, Sales Director, Kitsons, commented: “the aging workforce and lower numbers of apprentices is an increasingly pressing issue. The long-term success of the industry requires home grown talent and there are regions where specific support will make a real difference to apprentices and their sponsoring companies.”
“Kitsons’ was built on trust, and this is one way we’re continuing to reinforce that trust in the market while supporting the industry’s future talent. Our hope is that we can help more students come into our exciting sector and show how rewarding a career it can be.”
TICA represents thermal insulation contractors throughout the UK involved in the application of hot and cold thermal insulation. The industry apprenticeship programme, delivered by TICA at its National Training Centre in Darlington, hosts apprentices for two-week blocks of training every three months, for between 18 and 24 months.
Marion Marsland, CEO of TICA, said: “TICA has been supporting apprenticeship training for Scottish and Welsh candidates for many years despite the very poor funding situation and our members have always had access to free training irrespective of the funding available. The accommodation grant being provided by Kitsons will remove another financial hurdle to employers in these regions and provides a fantastic opportunity to the employer and the apprentice alike. TICA remains extremely grateful for the support and commitment from Kitsons, who have been an Associate Member and supporter of the Association for many years.”
Contractors who want to apply for the grant can do so via the Kitsons website. Entries must be submitted by the end of May in time for the July induction. Grant payments for accommodation will be made in three milestone payments from the IETTL to the employer. The first is the fourth week college attendance, followed by the Gateway and then End Point assessment.
For more information on the grant, or to apply, visit kitsons.co.uk/apprentice
