Getting a career on track

Henry Mowforth has always loved steam trains.

He's one of those lucky people who's turning his hobby into a job - but first it takes training.

Henry is doing a Modern Apprenticeship in mechanical engineering so he's learning the up-to-the-minute stuff at college but working on the wonderful old steam engines on the Bluebell railway.

Just think...

Why do you think Henry needs training?

What advantage does the mix of college and work have for Henry?

How does it work?

Henry is learning all about keeping the trains running and restoring ones that arrive at the Bluebell Railway.

The locomotive on the right was bought from a scrap yard and restored to working order.

It took 12 years, and included the construction of a new tender body in the railway's workshop. This is the sort of thing that Henry is learning.

Henry is paid a wage by the railway. He's there for three days a week and does two at college.

To begin with, his skills are limited but the longer he's at college, the more useful he becomes.

As he's been a volunteer for a long time, he probably knows more than the average apprentice working in another business but that's unusual.

Henry is learning new skills

Businesses that take on apprentices expect them to be learning on the job.

The Bluebell Railway is paid a subsidy by the government to help pay Henry's wages.

The government wants to encourage businesses to train people so they become more highly skilled and therefore more productive.

Just think...

Why do you think the Bluebell Railway is prepared to pay Henry while he is training?

Why does the government want people to be more productive?

Why do you think the government wants to encourage training?

Why should businesses train their staff?

Some businesses are unwilling to train staff. They think it's too expensive.

Training may be on the job or off the job. Henry does some of both.

When he's at college, it's off the job.

When he's at work, it's on the job.

Wherever the training takes place, it costs the business money because other people are involved and the trainee is not at work.

The Bluebell Railway is a bit unusual because Henry's mentor is a volunteer and doesn't have to be paid. He helps because he loves steam engines. In another business the mentor would be another member of staff.

All big companies have extensive training schemes for their staff. It is important that people know what they are doing and develop new skills because most jobs involve change.

If they don't keep up to date, the business will get left behind. It's important that people know what they are doing when new machinery is installed or new computer systems are introduced.

If they are not trained, things may go wrong, accidents might happen and everything will take longer. These are expensive options.

Training also motivates people because it keeps them interested. Most people get bored if they do the same things day after day.

Just think...

Why is it important for Henry to have both on the job and off the job training?

What costs are involved in carrying out training?

Why is it important for a business to train its staff?

What may happen if it doesn't?

Explain why training motivates people. Whose theory helps to explain this?

Why do some businesses not offer training?

Training is expensive and it helps employees become more marketable. The more skills you have, the easier it is to find a job. With more skills, you can earn more money.

Businesses therefore fear that people will leave once they are trained and their investment will have been wasted.

As a result some businesses have been known to train people in very narrow fields so their skills are not very transferable.

Just think...

Why is training thought of as an investment?

Why do some businesses offer narrow training?

Why might this strategy not be successful in the long run?