New Apprenticeship Partnership Combats Skills Shortage while Decreasing Landfill Waste
Redruth-based company Mi-Generation highlighted the national shortage of skilled biomass engineers available in the UK, previously recruiting from outside of the UK to fulfil the needs of their renewable energy business. The company made the decision to consult with Truro and Penwith College Business to address the ongoing skills shortage within the sector.
Mi-Generation explored the options available to them during their consultation with Truro and Penwith College, before concluding that an Apprenticeship scheme was the best way to both train the future of their business and provide an answer to the skills deficit locally and nationally. The College researched and found a specialist Heating and Ventilation Apprenticeship, through City and Guilds, to meet the needs of their biomass engineers.
The company specialises in local production and local consumption of renewable energy, using waste wood material from the local area that would otherwise be burned on location after forest or scrub clearance, shredded and left on site or taken to land fill. This waste wood is transformed into wood pellets used for the micro generation of heat, decreasing the use of fossil fuels.
Working in partnership with Mi-Generation throughout the Apprenticeship process, the College has assisted in recruiting 6 enthusiastic new apprentices to enhance their team and preserve the future of this industry, subsequently preventing considerable amounts of waste each year ending up in landfill in Cornwall.
The company also collaborate with the College regarding the delivery of the biomass portion of the programme. The College’s method of working together with employers to develop new apprenticeships means the resulting programmes will be driven by business demand, giving apprentices the vital skills desired by the sector they work for.
Claire Glynn, General Manager at Mi-Generation, commented: “The apprentices bring new energy into our workforce and we’re really looking forward to the positive impact they will have over the next two years with us.”
Tamsyn Harris, Head of Truro and Penwith College Business, added: “We are delighted to be working with Mi-Generation and developing a bespoke apprenticeship recruitment service to suit their business needs. At Truro and Penwith College we are passionate about providing solutions to businesses to support innovation, business and young people. Working together with Mi-Generation to develop the next generation of experts within their business will provide great opportunities for young people and surrounding communities.”
Image: Mi-Generation Apprentices
Caption: From left to right: Jack Butterworth (Truro and Penwith College Business Development Adviser), Jackson Williams, Daniel Bird, Anthony Ford, Spencer Gaylard, James Walker, Daniel Patrick, Chris Moyle (Truro and Penwith College Business Development Adviser).