Autumn Members' Meeting

Last Thursday (18^th November) the BCIA held its Autumn Members’ Meeting, with over 40 representatives being briefed on Association Plans to support member businesses and the sector in 2022, along with details regarding the support and funding available to recruit new entrants into the industry through T Level Industry placements and the new BEMS Apprenticeship Scheme.

Welcoming a guest speaker from the Department for Education, over 30 member businesses heard about the new Government T-Levels initiative to support technical education amongst talented, technically minded sixth formers and further education students, the importance of technical industry placements that could help boost productivity and the emerging close relationship between BCIA member employers and education specialists.

Members also heard from Peter Behan, Director of BCIA training partner Group Horizon, regarding the financial support available for smaller businesses looking to train apprentices, with Government covering 95% of the course costs and larger businesses having the capacity to share their Apprenticeship Levy ‘pot’ with their supply chains.

BCIA Vice President Graeme Rees provided members with an update on the new resources that BCIA Working Groups were developing to support member businesses in 2022, new initiatives to work with schools, colleges and universities and the proposals for a BCIA Members’ Conference in May next year.

Look out for a special Members’ Meeting Report bulletin to be issued on 1^st December, providing more details of what was discussed, how members can become involved and link into the new opportunities identified along with links to support businesses looking to recruit new talent.