EKRT Signs new Apprentice Scheme
- 22 February 2014 15:48261349East Kent Railway Trust is pleased to announce the signing of a permanent agreement with Arc Academy UK on 27th February 2014, 11am at Shepherdswell.
This will enable us to continue to deliver our "Railway Apprenticeship Scheme" here at Shepherdswell, making it a welcome and permanent addition to our Mining Railway Heritage Site.
Since the start of the pilot scheme we have trained 35 local youths, who have all gained employment within the Rail Industry and 12 more already being trained, with promises of employment.
With many more on our books and waiting in line, we must not let them down now; we need more support to keep this Apprentice Scheme, alive & viable.
We want to extend the age range that we are currently tied to but that will mean we will need further funding.
We are looking at other sites to sustain this scheme and other types of Apprenticeship Schemes, such as building, engineering etc.
Please contact me for more info or if you think you can help in any way?
Gary garyekr@sky.com 07800545135"My New Year's Resolution, is to try and emulate Marek's level of chilled out, thoughtfulness and humour towards other forumites and not lose my decorum" - 22 February 2014 23:00261357Well done Gary, good news for EKR, good news for young people.
- 23 February 2014 03:03261358Excellent Gary, you guys are doing more for local employability prospects than DHB.I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
- 23 February 2014 12:53261371We are looking for funding to take on 3 or 4, 16 yr. old local youth.
They would stay with us and learn every aspect of our railway, including cafe, shop, office, woodland, restoration, renovation, heritage etc. etc.
At the age of 17yrs & 9 months they can then decide which direction they wish to go and we can help them get into the rail industry or hopefully by then, other apprenticeships?"My New Year's Resolution, is to try and emulate Marek's level of chilled out, thoughtfulness and humour towards other forumites and not lose my decorum" - 28 February 2014 15:05261590The signing of EKRT's permanent agreement with Ark Academy Uk, was well supported and well received by many ongoing supporters and brought on board some new and very influential supporters.
I would like to thank everyone who did attend and thank those who could not attend but supported us with some much needed letters of support,encouragement and promises of further support in the future.
This is a big step for EKRT and our local communities but we are still in need of help.
Of course we need funding?
That's goes without saying and it would certainly help, especially with the Apprentice Scheme.
More visitors?
That would bring in more revenue and certainly it is what we are working towards.
Increasing our Mining Heritage Railway visitor experience, especially with bringing back steam, would and will, increase footfall and is the direction that we are travelling in.
However at this time there is something even more important than any of the above.
Volunteers are what we are desperately short of.
Without volunteers we cannot reach the level of standard that we want to aspire to.
Funding and visitors are important but without more volunteers we will struggle.
The volunteers we have now are a great bunch of people, all working hard and they have made such a massive change at EKR over the last 18 months and will continue to make progress but they need your help.
To us, we know that our site is a Jewel and a site that we are proud of but we also know that it is work in progress and much more work is needed to bring EKR up to the next level.
EKRT and its existing volunteers need your support.
Everyone is welcome, there is no age or other limits that will stand in your way, you do not even have to be interested in trains because there is far more to this heritage site than just the railway.
Helping in our "Knees Woodland" creating an educational, historical and outdoor wonderland, with our Woodland Ranger Team would suit all ages and genders.
With our shop and Colonels Café, to joining our energetic Youth Team, there are plenty of reasons to come along and see for yourself how you could help.
From taking bookings, selling tickets, being train & crossing guards and even driving our trains, we have something for everyone.
Don't get bored this summer, get volunteering!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Even if its 1 hour or 1 day a week, if you have some spare time you can and will make a difference.
For more info please contact me at garyekr@sky.com"My New Year's Resolution, is to try and emulate Marek's level of chilled out, thoughtfulness and humour towards other forumites and not lose my decorum" - 28 February 2014 16:42261592I was there yesterday very pleased to support Garry and his team.I spoke with some of the young people and was impressed by their responses.
- 28 February 2014 18:15261595We'll done Gary, keep in touch .
There may be funding opportunities to explore. - 28 February 2014 19:50261596Good news, Gary and EKRT..Well Done .
Come on Paul and Sue...Get those funding opportunities under way now..Why don't DDC have a similar apprentice scheme?
Our young people need help getting into the workplace..Action speaks louder than words. - 1 March 2014 06:15261608DDC do have an apprentice scheme and have ten apprentices currently.
Actions speak louder than words. - 1 March 2014 06:43261609Apprentice councillors or officers?
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson - 1 March 2014 07:33261610Always prepared to learn Peter.
- 1 March 2014 16:09261626Well Done,Paul..The current councillor intake is about 40..Which ones are the apprentices??
- 1 March 2014 18:59261633Many thanks to everyone, we very much appreciate your support.
Dover District Council, from every level, are fully supporting this scheme and our future projects at EKRT.
I wish I could name everyone at DDC who are helping us but I cannot without their permission.
However, I can say thanks, to Sue & Paul and ask them to pass on our sincere thanks to all other councillor's and officers that are beavering away, not just on our project but many other projects as well, that will benefit Deal/Dover & its surrounding Communities.
Lots of local business are already supporting us.
However, we need to work with all other heritage groups and visitor based groups along with all types of local business.
If we create a stronger hub of active community groups and business's, we could make such a difference to our little corner of East Kent.
Alone we will struggle to survive, together as a community, we can achieve anything. "My New Year's Resolution, is to try and emulate Marek's level of chilled out, thoughtfulness and humour towards other forumites and not lose my decorum" - 1 March 2014 20:18261636interesting thread as it puts to bed the lie that our "yoof" are not interested in getting out of bed in the morning and going to work.
we know now that that dhb, ddc and ekrt are offering apprenticeships that are being snapped up, no doubt others not mentoned on here are doing likewise. - 2 March 2014 10:28261649Howard .
The biggest disappointment we have to deal with every week, is turning people away because we cannot accommodate them at this time.
Not just youth either, many adults are desperate to get back to work and calling us all the time.
That is why we need further funding to give these others a chance.
Putting it in simple terms the rail industry needs to employ people as it is expanding etc. but a PTS course which is needed to be employed in the industry, can cost around £800-£1000.
The employers can not afford to subsidize these tickets any more and the employee cannot afford it either.
Catch 22, no one wins.
We get funding, take on these trainees, give them far more than just PTS, pass them onto to the railway industry.
Everyone wins, including the communities where they live."My New Year's Resolution, is to try and emulate Marek's level of chilled out, thoughtfulness and humour towards other forumites and not lose my decorum" - Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,888
5 March 2014 18:26261842Great interview about the miners and the new apprentices with Gary on Meridian just now.-----------------------------------------------------------------------
I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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