A North West firm that specialises in renewable heating technology has unveiled ambitious plans to create a new generation of apprentices. Warrington-based Belfry Group, who make the award-winning EcoPod, have launched the ??Job-A-Pod?? apprenticeship programme, which will create new opportunities for budding heating and plumbing engineers. The programme is the brainchild of Belfry managing director and former apprentice Keith Rimmer, who is concerned by the current skills shortage in the North West labour market. Mr Rimmer plans to invest £150,000 in a research and development facility at Belfry??s HQ in Warrington. He also intends to create a specialist EcoPod HND qualification in partnership with an established education partner. He said: ?The ??Job-A-Pod?? apprenticeship programme is a pledge by Belfry to take on a new apprentice every time we take an order for EcoPod.?? Belfry has already started taking on apprentices under the programme, employing six young people from Salix Homes to work on EcoPod installations in Salford and Salford MP Hazel Blears has praised the scheme.
For more information telephone 01925 633 311 or visit www.belfrygroup.co.uk
