Jan Taylor

Chancellor, Rishi Sunak has announced that minimum wage increase for April 2022. Minimum wage will change from April 1^st – Over-23s: From £8.91 to £9.50 an hour Aged 21-22: From £8.36 to £9.18 Aged 18 – 20: From £6.65 to £6.83 Under 18s: £4.62 to £4.81 Apprentice Rate: From £4.30 to £4.81 Minimum wage for 23 year-olds to rise to £9.50 an hour

We are delighted to announce that our two construction apprentices, who progressed from traineeships to apprenticeships as part of our Building Futures programme with SPV, are nominated for apprentice of the year – Construction and Property Industries. Well done to both Muhammad Farhan and Kyle Moseley Wiodarz!

We are now closing two of our Juniper Training centres – Hanley and Burton. However, our Derby centre remains open for anyone looking to enrol in and around the Derbyshire/Burton area. We are also delivering a roofing and construction course within the Stoke area in partnership with Rydale roofing – if you are interested in enrolling, you are also eligible to retake your GCSEs (ages 16-18). The provision also offers apprenticeships within this sector to those ages 16+.

We have now relocated our Wednesbury centre to 58 – 59 Union Street, Wednesbury, WS10 7HD. The new centre hosted the grand opening event on Monday 6th September at 12pm. We are delighted to announce that the centre had been opened by the Mayor of Sandwell, Clir Mushtaq Hussain. To enrol at centre, please email: simon.hackett@junipertraining.co.uk

On 14 June, Juniper Training Chesterfield were pleased to welcome MP Toby Perkins to their centre where he met the team and current students.

Toby very kindly presented to the students – exploring the ideas of social responsibility and understanding of British Values.

Toby Perkins said: “My message to anyone out there considering their future opportunities is to consider apprenticeships and opportunities like Juniper Training offer.”

Thank you for your visit!

Juniper Training has worked with the SPV Group since forming a partnership in 2019. Since then, the company have supported 60 learners through a introductory roofing training programme and currently has 49 young people on apprenticeships or working through a training school. The provision was devised to address prevalent skills shortages in the roofing sector. The Building Futures Roofing training programme secured the title for the ‘Most Inspiring Training Programme’ at The Inspire Awards 2021. Samantha Broomhall, Head of Business Development for Juniper Training said: “The two companies became partners back in 2019 designing a programme to offer young people the opportunity to develop their knowledge and skills in the roofing industry to progress onto a Level 2 Roofer Apprenticeship. This award is testament to the hard work and dedication of the students, apprentices, employers and staff. Roofing is a skilled trade and in partnership with SPV Group and Rydale Roofing, we’re immensely proud to be supporting the sector to continue to thrive” Anyone who is 16- 18 years old and interested in roofing can find out more about spaces on the training programme by calling 01922 645666.

Not many young people leave school thinking “I want to be a roofer” – unless they have a family member or colleague already in the trade. Muhammad Farhan, who trained with Juniper Training Walsall and SPV Group, received the ‘Young Roofer of the Year’ accolade in the National Federation of Roofing Contractors Awards. In 2019, Juniper Training partnered with SPV Group to deliver a free programme that equips young people, aged 16-18, with everything they need to be construction site ready, to progress into employment or on to an apprenticeship. Muhammed said: “The programme has enabled me to develop my skills and given me the opportunity to find out what I enjoy. “Winnning young roofer of the year is the icing on the cake. It’s good to know all my hard work and dedication has not gone unnoticed, I look forward to the rest of my career in the roofing industry.” Juniper Training are holding interviews for their next roofing and cladding intake. Call 01922 645666 or visit the Contact Us page for more info.

On Friday 4 June, Juniper were pleased to welcome Gavin Williamson to their Head Office at Hilton Cross Business Park, Wolverhampton, where he met with members of the team, current students and students/apprentices who have further progressed into apprenticeships and employment.

Lesley Holland, Managing Director of Juniper Training said “this was a great opportunity for us to provide an insight as to how our students are trained, developed, supported and progressed onto opportunities such as apprenticeships, further education or sustained employment. The pandemic has been a challenging time for the education sector, but our fantastic team have risen to the challenge with creative training initiatives to keep students motivated and on progress with their studies; whilst maintaining their mental well-being”.

Students also had the opportunity to share their experiences of studying at Juniper Training and what their plans are moving forward.

Ben, one of the students who progressed from our Building Futures programme onto a Juniper Roofing apprenticeship said “he was really down to earth, interested in what we were doing and wanted to hear about the support we have been provided at Juniper, especially with achieving our maths and English and gaining an apprenticeship”.

Favour, who is currently undertaking a childcare study programme told Gavin that “Juniper have helped me in getting a work placement in a local nursery school and gaining maths and English, despite my disability. This has encouraged me to want to get a job in a special school in the future, working with pupils with disabilities”.

Other students went on to say how studying at Juniper Training has helped to build their confidence levels and increase their motivation, and discussed various topical issues with Gavin during his visit.