Roofglaze News

Feb 2011

Roofglaze was presented with a Certificate of Recognition by Michelle Collins, project manager at Tesco and John Nay, East of England director of the National Apprentice Service, after the company excelled in its vocational training and personal development of Alicia Roberts, since joining the programme in 2010.

Roofglaze manufactures, supplies, and installs Nanogel-filled roof lights on Tesco’s stores, including those featured on Tesco’s first zero-carbon superstore in Ramsey, Peterborough. Alicia was employed as a trainee sales-assistant / administrator apprentice in October 2010 and now assists the team in providing detailed quotations to contractors, architects and Tesco’s environmental team. Following her success the company is now looking to employ two further apprentices

Tesco contributes 50% of the apprentices’ costs during the scheme, for courses of between one and four years and is aimed at those hoping to pursue a career in property. The government or the supplier employer provides the other half of the funding.

The apprentices spend four days a year with Tesco as part of their ongoing development. On these days, trainees undertake Tesco-led core skill training and gain knowledge through team-building sessions, teaching groups and guest lecturers.

Richard Cliffe, MD of Roofglaze, said: “The introduction of the Tesco Property Apprentice and Trainee Scheme has resulted in a management step-change at Roofglaze. Since being established 12 years ago we never considered employing an apprentice, but this helped us to see an opportunity and to invest and participate in something new. We’re now in talks with a training provider with a view to employing two further apprentices.”

Apprenticeship Week is organised by the National Apprenticeship Service and is an opportunity for employers, providers, learners and stakeholders to showcase apprenticeships. In addition to a national programme of events, there are regional and local events taking place across the country.