Since it was established in 1997 as a charitable trust, ETT has delivered apprenticeship training to over 4,500 school leavers throughout Northern Ireland.
Derek Thompson, ETT Chief Executive, explained, “The main reason for withdrawing from the present contract arrangement is the continued absence of a final strategy and policy announcements by the Department for Employment & Learning (DEL). Our ability to plan, market, recruit and manage our supply chain has simply been undone by overwhelming uncertainties.”
Lewis Darragh, ETT Chairman also commented by saying, “The 2010 open tendering policy of DEL has led to the demise of the industry’s control at a regional level over the affairs of its own apprenticeship. The Board of ETT is extremely disappointed with the multiplication of providers and the progressive loss of employer influence and control during this period.”
The decision by ETT suggests a growing lack of confidence in the employer-led approach, towards apprenticeship training in the sector.
On a positive note, ETT will continue to offer all other services to the industry, including the provision of AM2 skills testing, CSR courses, mature candidate assessment and post apprenticeship training.
The Board of ETT also wish to confirm that the organisation remains well placed to promote, develop and support the management of the industry’s electrical Licence to Practice system.
For more information, telephone (NI) 028 2565 0750 – T: (RoI) 028 2565 0750, e-mail enquiries@ett-ni.org or visit www.ett-ni.org
