It's National Apprenticeship Week, which means it's time for us to take a moment for the apprentices across the country and thank them for their contribution to our nation's workforce! Apprentices make up a huge part of important trade industries including gas, electric and construction. There's always a demand for more tradespeople, and without talented apprentices, we'd struggle to keep a lot of our industries afloat.
Secretary of State for Education, Nadhim Zahawi, said:
"Apprenticeships offer people of all ages the chance to earn while they learn and build a successful career, while also delivering the skilled workforce this country needs to build back stronger. National Apprenticeship Week is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate and recognise the achievements of apprentices, their employers and training providers."
Apprentices are helping us recover from the pandemic with over 40% more people starting apprenticeships in the first quarter of 2021/22 than in the same period 2020/21, which is up again from pre-pandemic levels in 2019. That means, more people than ever are showing interest in apprenticeships and wanting to learn valuable skills for their careers.
So how can Ladders UK Direct help apprentices? Well, we have a great knowledge of the different trades and the kinds of equipment they need to get started in their careers. Whether you're an apprentice who's looking to be self-employed in the future, or you're starting to build your own kit to carry you through your apprenticeship - we can help!
I'm an electrical apprentice - what ladder do I need?
Electricians, sparkies, whatever you want to call them - we've all needed one at some point to check our wiring. Many of us are far too scared to start fiddling with electrical fixtures ourselves, and for good reason. When working with electricals you really are putting yourself in danger, so bravo to our apprentices that are working in risky environments every day!
So what kind of ladder do you need if you're training to be an electrician? The answer is a GRP or Fibreglass Ladder. GRP ladders are non-conductive which means they're safe to use around electrical hazards. We offer GRP extension ladders, GRP step ladders and many other GRP ladders - so whatever kind of ladder you need, we've got you covered.
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Read More: How Do Fibreglass Ladders Protect Against Electricity?
I'm a construction apprentice - what ladder do I need?
If you've got a passion for working on-site to create stunning buildings and homes, then you might be embarking on a construction apprenticeship. There's always a shortage of homes in the UK, so it's absolutely vital that we continue to recruit and train talented people in the construction sector. When you work in construction you'll be facing a vast array of challenges every day - that's why it's important that you have equipment you can rely on.
A construction apprentice might need one (or a selection of) the following ladders:
Read More: How to Erect a Scaffold Tower (Infographic)
I'm a painting and decorating apprentice - what ladder do I need?
Painting and decorating can be a very rewarding and therapeutic job. You'll spend your days transforming people's homes and putting your creative skills to good use. Not to mention there's also great money to be made in this line of work!
For general painting and decorating tasks, you may not need a ladder at all. In fact, a hop-up is likely to suffice to help you reach those tricky corners and spaces that are just out of reach. Hop-ups are great because they're very lightweight and portable. This makes it easy for you to chuck one in your van and head off to see the next client. We offer a wide range of hop-ups, all of which provide a stable platform for you to work on.
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For trickier painting and decorating tasks, you might need a platform step ladder or a combination ladder. Both of these ladders are great for reaching up high and will provide you with a huge work platform. Combination ladders in particular are favoured by painters and decorators because they can be erected in stairwells. This means you no longer have to balance precariously when you're asked to decorate someone's landing.
Shop Platform Step Ladders > Shop Combination Ladders >
So there you have it! If you're an apprentice who's been looking for a bit of guidance about the right ladders for the job, we hope you find this blog helpful! If you have any other questions, or if you'd like to chat with a member of the Ladders UK Direct team, you can contact us here.
