Trade kitchen supplier Howdens has partnered with EN:Able Futures CIC, a flexi-job apprenticeship service, to provide them with funding for more apprentices and tackle the lack of fitters.

The pilot scheme comes as the UK trade skills shortage continues to rise, with the biggest drop in skilled workers since 2017.

All new apprentices require an Apprenticeship Levy to commence their apprenticeship.

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Initially, this scheme will enable Howdens, who have run their own internal apprenticeship programme, for more than 10 years, to transfer their apprenticeship levy to EN:Able Futures to support the creation of new apprenticeships.

The second stage of the scheme is designed to encourage and support Howdens’ customers to recruit and train their apprentices, addressing the UK skills shortage within construction, specifically kitchen installation.

Working to bridge the gap between supply and demand, the scheme will offer Howdens’ customers the information and support they need to employ apprentices through one of two routes.

The first will be through direct employment and the second through shared employment between the customer and EN:Able Futures.

The second option will see EN:Able Futures co-ordinating the process, providing mentoring support and pastoral care for apprentices once employed.

Learning and development manager at Howdens Jo Blackham said: “We are thrilled to be able to announce our partnership with EN:Able Futures.

“Our hope is that by transferring some of our levy, we can help to increase the apprenticeship opportunities within the construction industry and also provide an easier route by which our customers can introduce apprentices to the trade industry and nurture their skills, we can do our bit in supporting the trade industry by easing current pressures due to trade skill shortages.”

EN:Able Futures Flexi-job Apprenticeship Service employs trade and technical apprentices in the construction, housing and civil engineering sectors, providing support to apprentices and the companies hosting them.

According to the service, 98% of apprentices who complete their training go into full-time employment or higher education.

Director of operations at EN:Able Futures Julie Deeley commented: “Our distinctive Flexi-job Apprenticeship Service offers businesses a flexible way to take on new apprentices.

“Our dedicated apprenticeship managers provide high-quality 1-to1 employment as well as academic and pastoral support to every apprentice and we believe this is the reason why 98% of our apprentices who complete their training go onto full-time employment or other higher education.

“As the nature of the future employment market evolves in the post-pandemic world, it’s important to recognise the positive impact that employability support provides in creating employees who have the confidence, experience and qualifications that the UK construction sector needs.”

Since 2013 EN:Able Futures has employed 410 apprentices, worked with 110 companies and partnered with 43 colleges and training providers.