Tighe Group is committed to supporting employment and training, with a particular focus on young people. We employ apprentices in industrial painting, decorating and surveying. Our training programmes deliver long-term career prospects, for example, our Chairman, Managing Director and Health & Safety Director all joined the company as trainee surveyors.
As a leading industrial painting contractor, we were involved in a national project to improve apprenticeships within the sector. Our goal was to ensure apprentices benefitted from a structured programme and gained a recognisable qualification. We worked with the Highways authorities and industry partners to develop the Apprenticeship Standard for Industrial Coating Applicators.
Once the Trailblazer Apprenticeship was approved as a recognised apprenticeship, Jack Tighe Ltd contacted North Lindsey College and together we developed the UK’s first Industrial Painting Apprenticeship. Three members of our staff completed Level 3 Teacher Training for Apprenticeships, which enables them to conduct all training undertaken at our premises and sites.
The 18 months programme is divided into classroom tuition, practical work at our Scunthorpe factory, and on-site experience on our long-term contracts; apprentices then complete a one year mentoring period. On completion of the training and mentoring, apprentices can apply for their full ICATS card, including the blasting and spraying modules, from Correx (The Institute of Corrosion). Rates of pay for apprentices and terms and conditions are all in accordance with the CIJC National Working Rule Agreement.
This initiative is a positive step for the painting industry; it shows how much we value the links between business and education, and the importance of creating viable career paths for young people.
