The latest batch of recruits from firms across the county have just begun their apprenticeships with provider IPS International.

Chris Price found out what life is like in the first stage of training for their new careers.

In various uniforms, the new recruits turn up for their next day’s learning at the workshops of IPS International.

Some are in lab coats, some in overalls, others in sturdy boots and pullovers. Each will learn different types of engineering skills appropriate to the companies that have sent them to the centre for the next 10 months.

The atmosphere is jovial but professional. Plenty of banter is flying around the workshop but there is no dossing. Every apprentice is motivated because they are getting paid to learn.

“We’ve got some lively people here,” said lead instructor Nigel Mason, who is beginning his ninth academic year teaching first-year apprentices with IPS.

“A lot have have come through a big interview process and are very extrovert. They are willing to learn.”

The current set of apprentices have been training at IPS’ headquarters on the Medway City Estate for five weeks when Kent Business visits. Most are beginning a four-year programme which will see them return to the site one day a week on day release after their first year.

One, Daniel Farmer from Bexleyheath, is training to be an electrical control and instrumentation technician with Cory Riverside, based in Belvedere.

Colleagues give the obligatory “he’s got a face for radio” jokes as he wanders over to chat and have his picture taken. He shrugs them off with a smile. He has finally found a career which suits him, having spent three years as a chef and four months in lift maintenance.

“I knew I wanted to go into engineering and the electrical side seemed like the right place to go,” said Daniel, 21.

“I needed something stable and looking to the future. I’m getting older now and I need something to keep me going when I’m 40. It’s really good. I’m learning new skills. It’s different from college. Everyone’s here to learn and we’re working harder than if we weren’t getting paid.”

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Kent Business is running the Kick Start Kent campaign to get people in the county working.

Our target is to get 50 firms in Kent to take on an apprentice in the next year.

As part of our work, we are running a short survey to find out what would encourage more businesses to take on an apprentice.

TAKE THE SURVEY

If you are interested in becoming an apprentice or you want to find out more about taking one on at your firm, email kickstartkent@thekmgroup.co.uk

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Next to the workbenches and equipment on the main floor, four BAE Systems apprentices are building circuit boards. The company has 12 apprentices training at IPS.

One of four craft apprentices is Greg Collins, 18, from Ashford. He said: “When we go back for our second year, we do six-week placements in different departments and where you end up depends on whichone wants you.

“I wanted to carry on learning but I didn’t want to go to uni. It’s too much money now and with this I’m getting paid to do the same thing.”

Another among them is Sarah Reeves, 18, from Linton, near Maidstone. She said: “I knew I didn’t want to go to uni. I don’t like sitting listening to people and one of my mates mentioned you can do a lot more hands-on stuff if you do an apprenticeship.

“Getting paid rather than getting in debt was a big draw too.”

Sarah is one of only four women among this year’s batch of apprentices training in Strood.

She said: “There are two other girls with BAE and one other with IPS. There are not many. There is a lot of banter with the boys but it’s good banter.”

The apprentices at IPS come from far and wide. Liam Byford, 20, is training to be a mechanical and electrical engineer with Dover Harbour Board.

He did work experience with the port operator last year and applied when he saw the apprenticeships advertised. He had already done two years of electrical engineering at K College.

He said: “We are taught everything we will need for when we start work at the harbour after 10 months. Everyone gets along.

“I’m from Dover so I didn’t know anyone but it wasn’t hard to make friends.”

Despite spending two years at college, he has no regrets.

“It’s the best way to get into a trade,” he said. “You get paid to learn and everyone else in the firm has been through it so they help you on the way.

“I would rather have an apprenticeship than go to uni. You get practical skills and you know you have a job at the end of it if you do well enough.”