At JTL, we are proud to work with large, national companies to not only train apprentices, but to also nurture them to become industry-leading individuals in the plumbing and heating, and electrical trades.
One exemplary partner in this journey has been Fortem. The nationwide company was established in 2002 and provides specialised property solutions, offering round-the-clock services for both internal and external building and home repairs.
JTL has worked closely with Fortem for over 10 years to provide apprenticeships to create the next generation of electricians and plumbers, specialising in the property industry.
In line with JTL’s commitment to bridging the existing skills gap by educating apprentices with the latest green technologies, Fortem specialises in decarbonising homes and enhancing energy efficiency.
JTL’s long-standing relationship with Fortem has allowed for the delivery of comprehensive training for a number of apprentices across JTL’s network of training centres throughout the country. James Maynard, Talent and Development Coordinator at Fortem, who has been with the company for four years, acknowledges the significance of apprenticeships:
“Apprenticeships provide a multitude of benefits, including earning while learning. This certainly would have made me opt for an apprenticeship when I was younger, if I had been aware of its benefits during my school years.”
James highlights that there are currently 28 JTL apprentices with the company, with each of the company’s 15 locations hosting at least one JTL apprentice. The close collaboration is a testament to the commitment of JTL and Fortem to training and retaining apprentices who often then go on to assistant supervisor roles where they can share their knowledge and experience with a wider team including other apprentices.
James added: “Assistant supervisors for our electrical and plumbing teams, who once started as JTL apprentices, now play key roles within our organisation advising at specific branches and providing key support to trade teams. They learned their trade as an apprentice, progressed to become assistant supervisors after working in industry for a year or so, and now continue to contribute significantly to our operations.
“One trainer at our Birmingham branch joined midway through their apprenticeship with JTL and now stands as a qualified supervisor at Fortem, after years of dedicated work and the completion of an internal training programme.”
This seamless partnership highlights JTL’s and Fortem’s shared dedication to ensuring apprentices excel in their roles, paving the way for a brighter and more sustainable future in the industry.
Find out more about Fortem here.
