NRC recognised at Apprentice awards

The partnership was shortlisted for the Partnership Award at a glittering ceremony at Belfast’s Europa Hotel on Wednesday, May 19.

Schrader had initially struggled to recruit staff with suitable skills for their ‘Mechatronic Apprentice Programme’.

However, after teaming up with NRC’s ‘Centre for Engineering Excellence’, a programme including both on and off-the-job training and mentoring was implemented.

In addition, apprentices attend NRC, where on completion they will achieve HNC/HND and NVQ Engineering qualifications.

Presenting Schrader Electronics and Northern Regional College with their award, Employment and Learning Minister, Sir Reg Empey said: “The Apprenticeships message is a simple one. For trainees, the programme can offer a route to employment through the development of meaningful and relevant skills. For employers, a skilled, highly motivated workforce gives your business the competitive edge that is vital to success in today’s marketplace. Now, more than ever, we must remain committed to raising the collective skills levels upon which our future prosperity depends.”

Sir Reg continued: “It is heartening to see how our further education colleges are helping to meet the needs of local employers in fast-moving industries such as ICT. Schrader and Northern Regional College are to be congratulated for their success.”

There are over 10,000 apprentices currently in training in Northern Ireland. All are following a training framework developed with the relevant industry sector, which includes attainment of a Vocational Qualification, a technical certificate and specified essential skills.

The Apprentice of the Year competition is open to those currently on the Department for Employment and Learning’s Apprenticeships programmes and it showcases excellence in apprenticeship training.