At Solar Capture we recognise the importance of our apprenticeship scheme. The nature of our manufacturing business, having one of the largest solar PV manufacturing capacities in the UK, currently at 70MW with future expansion easily achieved, makes coming equipped with the competencies required to hit the ground running a challenge. Therefore, the blended learning approach that apprenticeships make possible has played a vital role in developing the skilled workforce Solar Capture has today.
Our apprenticeship scheme has been running since 2017, with our first apprentice starting their journey on a Level 3 Engineering Apprenticeship, now, they are close to completing their Engineering Honours Degree, and have over 6 years hands on industry experience.
Typically, we have one or two apprentices each year in various roles including engineering, manufacturing and administration. The scheme plays a key role in enabling the business to meet its strategic objectives and there are plans in place to expand apprenticeship recruitment over the next few years as the business continues to grow.
We believe that developing a collaboration is the best way to nurture employees through education, training, coaching and mentoring. At Solar Capture we work with local enterprises and further education establishments, that have well placed resources to offer advice. We have a good relationship with the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (NE-LEP) who have given guidance on further education, training and apprenticeships and we work with several further education providers including Gateshead College, Northumberland College and Newcastle College who deliver great support with Apprenticeships, Advanced Apprenticeships and Degree Apprenticeships. Working with these organisations simplify the recruitment and training process and produce high quality candidates.