JTL Blog  

Following recent headlines surrounding the future of university teaching, which reveal students could now receive no face-to-face lectures when the new academic term resumes in September, we’ve been thinking about what this means for the future of higher education.

At JTL, we recognise the pivotal role electricians and plumbing and heating engineers are playing during the current COVID-19 situation. Our latest campaign, ‘You’re our heroes of today, help us train the heroes of tomorrow’, celebrates the positive difference trade professionals are making by continuing to provide the nation with essential services. We spoke to Cathie Foster, Head of Marketing & Communications at JTL to find out more.

For Mental Health Awareness Week (18-24 May 2020), JTL has been considering the impact that Covid-19 is having on those in trade roles who may be under increased pressure, both in and outside of work.

In light of the recent changes to the calculated grading system introduced by the Government following the cancellation of exams, now is as good a time as ever to start exploring career options available to you.

The Coronavirus outbreak has already had a significant impact on the education system, something which is expected to continue into the next school term. Upon Government advice, schools have changed normal practices to help continue to support the children of critical and key workers, and consequentially, exams have been cancelled in an attempt to halt the spread of the virus and to give pupils, parents and teachers certainty in the current situation.

Two years on from the introduction of the Baker Clause, results of a recent YouGov survey commissioned by JTL suggest that only 5% of females aged 15-18 felt they had been encouraged to become a skilled tradesperson compared to 14% of males.

Shaheeb who works as a gas engineer describes how he started a JTL apprenticeship at Fortem and how he enjoyed developing his skills and knowledge by working alongside experienced tradesmen.

In 2019, the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) confirmed that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that do not pay the apprenticeship levy will be required to access government apprenticeship funding using its online portal, The Apprenticeship Service (TAS). Caroline Turner, our Director of Policy & External Relations, discusses how JTL can help take the hassle out of navigating the funding changes and explains what this means for your business.

After the buzz of the Christmas holidays and that much-needed time with friends and family back home, it’s no surprise that returning to university can be a struggle.

As a parent, you want your child to get the best possible start in their career. That’s why we’re keen to talk about the value of apprenticeships, which are work-based, government funded training programmes. We caught up with Judi Wheeler, JTL’s National Delivery Director, to discuss why apprenticeships are a great way for learners to gain practical, on-the-job experience and achieve a nationally recognised professional qualification.