A Northampton training specialist is now ready to deliver greater choice for employers in the Building Services sector after achieving Main Provider status. EAS Mechanical is an approved centre for building services engineering training and, after becoming a Main Provider, will be able to act in the same manner as a college and draw down funding directly from the Government’s Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA).
This achievement allows EAS Mechanical to sign up apprentices directly, thereby helping streamline the process for local employers. As a Main Provider, EAS Mechanical is now able to enter into contracts with employers that use the apprenticeship service to pay for apprenticeship training and is able to work with ESFA to deliver to employers who do not pay the apprenticeship levy.
Eamon Wilson, Managing Director of EAS Mechanical, said:
“We are delighted that we now have Main Provider status, it reaffirms our position as a training provider and offers greater choice to employers in the area.
“For the past five years we have been working through Leeds College of Building but now that we can sign up apprentices directly, we’ll be exploring ways to access help from areas such as the local authorities in order to capitalise on our new status and be at the forefront of training what is an ever-expanding intake of apprentices.”
EAS Mechanical courses, a portfolio of City & Guilds, Bpec and Cert-ain recognised schemes, are aimed at apprentices, those who are changing career, or those looking for additional training for continued professional development.
Ever-growing and seeing demand soar, EAS Mechanical also plan to deliver Managed Learning Programmes in Gas Engineering which will consist of both centre-based guided learning and on-the-job gas work experience, gained under the supervision of a registered gas installer, acting as the candidate’s mentor. Successful completion includes the ACS qualifications required to become Gas Safe Registered.
All of EAS Mechanical’s instructors, tutors and assessors are time served and industry specific qualified and have achieved the required training for teaching, quality assurance and assessing awards.
Eamon added:
“Our aim as a training centre is to help deliver the best qualified engineers into the industry, so everyone from the operative to the employer and then, down the line, the customers to reap those benefits.
“We established the training centre to improve upon the lack of options for our industry to get quality training. From beginners to time-served engineers, we believe EAS offer a non-complicated vision, running small groups with qualified instructors, and delivering a great overall experience for learning and development.”
EAS Mechanical offers funded apprenticeships in Plumbing & Heating, Electrical Installation, Building Services Engineering Installer (Heating and Ventilation) and Gas. All qualifications are delivered to a Level 2 (H&V only) and 3 Standard and are enhanced where possible by various manufacturers showcasing new products or technology.
Apprentices respond well to EAS Mechanical’s delivery of learning which is designed to both manage the group as a whole, develop personal milestones and to stretch and challenge individuals who are excelling.
“We like to work closely with employers to understand what they need. We regularly feed back on the apprentice’s progress, suggesting improvements required and what they can do to help their employee flourish. It also allows us to deal with any specific concerns the employer has. We also flag up any issues like non-attendance on the actual morning of attendance,”
added Eamon.
“The day an apprentice is attending EAS Mechanical is paid in wages by the employer, so they are at ‘work’. The employers like the fact they are notified and kept informed of attendance. It’s the little things that really to do work. We are currently running at a 97% pass rate for all those who attend EAS, which is way above national benchmarks, so the results speak for themselves. We’re extremely proud that we are supplying quality training in Northamptonshire”
Find out more about EAS Mechanical Ltd, give them a call on 01604 583060 or email eamon@easmech.co.uk.
