North Staffordshire careers and apprenticeship specialists the Spark Group have begun work to provide a pathway into work for young people who are currently not in education, employment, or training.
Now the company, which won a contract with Stoke-on-Trent City Council to support these students, is appealing for building and construction firms to offer work experience places for these learners.
Government figures show that the city has one of the lowest rates in England for 16-and-17-year-olds participating in education or training,
Statistics show a participation rate of 80.7% in Stoke-on-Trent while Government figures for youngsters classed as NEET, or as unrecorded/not known, at the end of 2023, ranged from 0.9% in Rutland, the City of London, and Barnet, to 22% in Stoke-on-Trent.
Daniel Canavan, who founded the Spark Group in 2023, said five young people began training at the company’s Hanley headquarters in early February, with a possibility of up to three more new starts in the next few weeks as they test the new programme model.
They will work with the Spark Group on a six-month programme designed to give them level one qualifications in construction,., environmental sustainability and employability.
While on the programme, The Spark Group also aims to find each trainee work experience placements, with the aim being to get each young person an apprenticeship or work start later in the year.
“The aim is to make all trainees work ready by giving them experiences in the skills needed for a career in the building trade.
“The statistics show there’s an immediate need for this programme and the City Council deserve great credit for coming forward to support those who have left school and fallen through the cracks in the system.”
“As they progress, the group will spend two days at our base in Westmill Street, Hanley, and three out on work experience.
“I will be using my trade contacts but if any company wants to support us with work experience places, we would be delighted to hear from them.”
Daniel has huge experience in the training and apprenticeship sector having previously been at the helm of Staffordshire-based PM Training.
He founded The Spark Group with a two-pronged vision; to create a long-term future for North Staffordshire teenagers through apprenticeships and training and to build the Spark Group’s own workforce concentrating on jobs in the green energy sector.
“We have a well-equipped training workshop on site and an experienced team including Brian Pepper a multi-skilled tradesman and tutor assessor from the former PM Training group.
“Our ambition at the Spark Group involves training our own apprentices to work with us on the Spark Contracts business and it is possible that this could be the start of a longer-term relationships with some of the new trainees that are just joining us.”
As countries face up to the climate crisis there is a need to create scores of new apprenticeships in areas such as retrofitting homes.
Spark Group has ambitions to lead in the race towards green energy, with Daniel adding “my vision is to use the green agenda to inspire the workforce of the future.
“The Spark Group will equip apprentices with the skills and create its own retrofitting arm, Spark Contracts, to fit out homes across North Staffordshire.”
To find out more about the Spark Group please go online to https://thespark.group/
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