CIBSE (the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers) has unveiled a new work-based route to engineering to help address the engineering skills gap.
The Institution's first building services engineering technicians have completed a year of their advanced apprenticeship developed by the Technician Apprenticeship Consortium (TAC). The employer-led Consortium was established to deliver the business need for skilled technicians as a response to the looming engineering skills gap facing the UK.

One apprentice who has benefitted from TAC, Joseph Halliday, said: 'After completing A levels I wanted to continue my education, however the selection of university courses I had looked into didn't appeal to me. After a careers meeting at my sixth form I applied to engineering firms and obtained a building services apprenticeship at ARUP.'

CIBSE supports TAC's progress as it encourages new routes into the profession, which is a key objective of the CIBSE Diversity Panel. The valued work-based route offers a low cost entry to the profession and also offers hands-on learning - something that many apprentices identified as an attractive option.

Since it started just over three years ago, working with colleges across the UK, TAC has been able to offer more than 500 students the opportunity of advanced technician apprenticeships in civil and building services. The building services apprenticeship is mapped to the requirements for EngTech registration, which then offers a progression pathway to CEng, if appropriate.

The consortium benefits all companies, large and small, as the collective approach assures the continuance of the provision and can hold the college to account for the quality of its teaching and assessment.

To find out more about the Diversity Panel visit www.cibse.org/diversity

For more information about the Consortium or to become a member contact project manager, Sheila Hoile at sheila@hoileassociates.co.uk or ACE on 020 7222 6557.