National Apprenticeship Week 2020

This week marks the UK Government’s National Apprenticeship week (3-9 Feb), a celebration of apprenticeships intending to bring together the whole apprenticeship community. The BPF is taking this opportunity to highlight the importance of apprenticeships in our own industry, as well as the BPF’s efforts in the sector.

Polymer Apprentice of the Year 2019

The Polymer Apprentice of the Year award 2019 was won by Polypipe’s Jordan Clayton, who completed a Mechanical Engineering Apprenticeship BTEC Level 3. Jordan’s involvement in an improvement project for his company helped save £260k, showcasing the value apprentices can bring and the outstanding talent of Jordan. The award’s runner up was Charles Thomas of St. Davids Assemblies, whilst the highly commended went to Christine Revill of Polypipe and Isaac Topley of Rutland Plastics.

For more information, click here

To see case studies on some of the industry’s apprentices, click here

BPF Apprenticeship Survey Report 2020

The BPF is due to release its inaugural Apprenticeship Survey Report, following its close on Friday 31st Jan, in due course. Looking at the preliminary results of the survey, it is worth noting that:

• Over 90% of respondents currently have apprentices

• Of the 526 apprentices in noted in the survey, ~45% were recruited in 2019 alone

• Apprentices make up 2.35% of the total workforce (of those who responded)

• Over half the apprentices noted are in an engineering role (51.9%), with processing the next most common sector 

The majority of apprentices in the survey were at level 3 (59%), followed by level 2 (27%). Levels 4 and 5 had very low percentages of apprentices and it is again worth noting that BPF members called for more training at level 4 in our 2016 Skills Survey Report. This 2020 data is again indicative of the need to develop more at this level more and the BPF itself undertook this task in 2019, utilising its own Trailblazer sector group to assist in the development of the level 4 Engineering Manufacturing Technician Apprenticeship – this standard is now approved for delivery.

Interested in taking on an Apprentice?

Head over to the BPF’s Find an Apprenticeship service to find what’s relevant to you!

Matt Davies - Industry & Sustainability Manager

For more information on the BPF's Education and Skills Activities, please contact Mo Elkhalifa at [email protected]