Our apprenticeship programme harnesses the potential existing within individuals, their communities and the construction industry.
K10 is a National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) accredited, Apprenticeship Training Agency (ATA), independent of any contractor or developer. An award winning Social Business founded in 2010 to address the difficulties contractors faced when trying to deliver effective apprenticeship programs and reverse the declining numbers of apprentices working within the construction industry.
K10 recognises the short term nature of most sub-contract packages and operates a model that allows for this limited duration of opportunity whilst taking full responsibility for the individuals’ apprenticeship and all associated employer obligations.
K10 sources, prepares and employs local residents that are looking to progress into the construction industry, whilst ensuring that high standards of vetting and due diligence are in place throughout. The scheme recruits candidates on a borough by borough basis and matches these individuals with apprenticeship opportunities generated by the construction projects within their local area, creating sustainable, life-changing opportunities.
The scheme provides mentors who support the apprentice and contractor for the duration of the apprenticeship, providing the interface between the host employer, the training provider and the trainee to ensure smooth delivery of the programme. K10 undertakes weekly apprentice contact and monthly site visits to assess an individual’s development, monitor performance and provide progress reports whilst resolving any issues that may arise.
An ATA is able to overcome many of the common barriers to apprentice delivery. These barriers may include:
The contractor hosts the apprentice for the duration of their involvement on the construction project and is charged an hourly fee; this fee covers the trainee’s wages, holiday and sick pay, employer’s NI contributions and accredited training course costs. There are no further costs to be met by the contractor. If or when the contractor has no more work for the apprentice, K10 arranges for the apprentice to move to another project, within their home borough, to continue their apprenticeship.
Contractors are charged an hourly rate of £8.95 + VAT for first year apprentices and £12.00 + VAT for second year apprentices. The hourly charge rate is applicable to the hours that the apprentice spends on site and at college.
Name: Ivan
Age: 20
Trade: Assistant Site Manager
Apprenticeship: Level 4 Project Management
Host Contractor: Balfour Beatty
Home Borough: Hounslow
Background: Ivan, one of our first shared apprentices with Heathrow Academy, was studying Electrical Engineering and Construction Multi Skills at college before joining K10.
Ivan, one of our first shared apprentices with Heathrow Academy, was studying Electrical Engineering and Construction Multi Skills at college before joining K10 Apprenticeships. Upon completion of his studies, Ivan jumped straight into job hunting. Ivan had an urge to be productive with his life and didn’t want to waste any time. University never seemed to be an option for him. Ivan eventually got a job working in a Warehouse, but it was not something that he enjoyed. From the very beginning, he wanted to be on site and working towards leading a project. Whilst he was in college, he struggled with the process of applying for jobs. He eventually came into contact with K10, who he has been very impressed with so far. He initially came in for an alternative role, but during his interview he displayed skills that the K10 team believed would fit the Project Management role that we had received from Balfour Beatty on their project T1 Baggage Project at Heathrow Airport.
Of his time on site so far Ivan said. “I’ve been given a lot of trust on site, which I really like. I’m not treated like a child, I’m treated like an adult and given the responsibility to make decisions” This is exactly what Ivan was looking for. “The site are very helpful when it comes to helping me get familiarised with the project and picking things up.”
He was also very positive about how the K10 team have helped him at the beginning of his apprenticeship. “K10 are very different to other companies that I have approached to find work. They treat you with respect, and they check up on you throughout your apprenticeship”
Ivan will be starting his Level 4 Project Management course in January, which he will be studying with Moreskills at the Heathrow Employment and Skills Academy.
Ivan’s Site Manager Conor Taggart from Balfour Beatty – “Ivan has been very enthusiastic about joining the Balfour Beatty T1 COOG team thus far. He’s been given basic tasks to get him familiar with the project and the world of Balfour Beatty. Some of these tasks include updating documents, giving inductions/toolbox talks and general site checks. Ivan has come in under the site team Eric Jamieson, Joe Martin and myself. Each of these managers are giving and teaching Ivan to complete and carry out tasks on a daily basis. He’s shown a general interest into the project and seems to be enjoying his time on site where he can visually see construction occurring.“
K10 Training now provides an easy way for contractors to meet their work, experience and traineeship obligations. K10 sources and vets candidates, from all over London, provides them with CSCS cards and PPE and co-ordinates their placement on your project, it could not be easier.
What is included:
Traineeship
Age: 20
Resident Borough: Greenwich
Louis came to K10 looking for an apprenticeship as he had never been given the chance to develop his practical skills. When Louis arrived, he had no site experience and although he had a Level 2 technical certificate in both Plumbing and heating and Electrical Installations, he had little knowledge of how an actual construction site operated.
Louis joined our first cohort of Construction Skills learners and here, he was able to understand other trades such as carpentry, painting and decorating and tiling, as well as a refresher on plumbing and electrical. Louis attended the sessions in the K10 workshop for 10 weeks and always showed great enthusiasm for every part of the course, even the health and safety elements, which saw him gain a Level 1 Health and Safety qualification and a CSCS card. This 10 week course was a great chance for Louis to really develop his hand skills and understand just how the different trades all fit in with each other on a site.
Once Louis had flown through the Construction Skills course, he was placed onto site to complete 3 weeks of unpaid work experience on site which is in Louis’ resident borough of Greenwich. This was a live construction project called Greenwich Creekside, which is managed by the contractor Innc Uk. During his time on site, he was able to gain great exposure to real plumbing and electrical tasks, something he had always wanted to do. For example, Louis assisted the M&E teams with tasks such as; Bathroom installations, containment work & snagging procedures for sign offs. As well as learning practical skills, it was important that that Louis also learned about the day-to-day running of a site and took part in things such as; Tool-box talks, weekly site meetings and general health and safety checks.
K10 received great feedback the M&E sub contractor, Gloster, who Louis worked with during the whole three week period. Gloster really embraced the work experience and gave Louis every opportunity to learn and make the most of the opportunity. ‘Louis has an excellent attitude towards work with the willingness to learn more and always asking questions (in the right way). His punctuality was excellent.’ David Long, Mechanical Manager, Gloster MEP
Louis managed to make such a good impression on Gloster that they requested his services as an apprentice through K10, meaning he is now an official K10 employee and is working with Gloster as a trainee plumber on Ballymore’s Royal Wharf project in Newham. It’s clear that Louis has come a long way and has constantly proved himself, well done Louis!