French apprentice plumber get work placement with Inspace Partnerships

(16/10/2008)

As part of a major international work placement scheme happening in South Yorkshire, Inspace Partnerships in Barnsley has welcomed French apprentice plumber Julien Bracke to the company.

Eighteen year old Julien from Paris will spend two weeks at Inspace work shadowing professional plumbers and gas engineers, gaining experience in day to day repairs, kitchen and shower installations and gas fitting, including boilers, radiators and fires.

The programme has been arranged by Business & Education South Yorkshire (B&E-SY) and Les Compagnons du Devoir, a French employer-led organisation devoted to educating the next generation of tradespeople.

Inspace Production Manager Mick O’Connor said: “The international work placement programme is excellent as not only does it help young people gain experience in a trade but it also helps break down cultural barriers in our region. Having a French speaking plumber in our team is beneficial as he has been able to communicate with some of our non English speaking residents who speak French.

“This is the third time we have been involved in the international work placement scheme and we are extremely pleased to be given the opportunity to host these young people from France and hope that we learn skills from one another. Inspace Partnerships are committed to offering work experience placements to both local and foreign students, as we understand the importance of involving and engaging young people in a trade so they can find out more about the careers available to them in this multi skilled industry. We take on work experience placements throughout the year and currently have four 15 year olds from the local area on placement with us.”

A total of 16 French Plumbing Apprentices are currently in the region taking part in the programme, which is designed to give young apprentices from abroad the chance to practice the technical skills used in plumbing in the UK, whilst learning more about our way of life. The Apprentices, who are aged between 16 and 18, spend one week on a combination of technical training, language training, cultural and project-related activities and two weeks on work placement.

As well as sourcing placements for the students, Business & Education South Yorkshire also had to find each student a suitable host family close to their workplace.

Adrian Jones, Enterprise Manager at Business & Education South Yorkshire, said: “This programme couldn’t have taken place without the support of local businesses and families who agreed to get involved. Many of the construction companies have also expressed an interest in an exchange programme, with their Apprentices hopefully visiting Paris on placements in the future. This will further enhance good working relationships between South Yorkshire and France.”

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