New Career Skills Press Releases & Industry News
See below for Press Releases & Industry News. Please check back regularly as these are updated on a monthly basis. Please also check the Case Study section for more stories about successful graduates.
News & Press - 2012
January
From Detective Sergeant to Property Development Business
Dave Masters previously worked as a Detective Sergeant. After taking a career break, he retrained in plumbing and now runs his own property development business... More
New company founded by former bobby
Former policeman Dave served two years as a beat officer before moving into CID and being promoted to detective sergeant. But in 2009, after some 15 years in the force it was time for a change... More
News & Press - 2011
December
How Chris took on the training mantle
Chris Penny, retrained as an electrician and set up his own business and is now helping to pave the way for others to follow a trade. He is working with New Career Skills... More
November
MP hears how centre is supplying people with skills to succeed
South west Hertfordshire MP, David Gauke, has discovered how a centre in Watford will soon be training the future's renewable energy specialists.... More
MP visits plumber training centre
South West Hertfordshire MP, David Gauke has visited New Career Skills' training centre in Watford, which is supplying people from all walks of life with the skills they need... More
CJP Electrical helps youngsters find their way
A man who retrained as an electrician and set up his own business is now helping to pave the way for others to follow a trade. Chris Penny, 31, is working with his former training provider... More
Andrew McMullen - My Working Week
Andrew McMullen, 37, said he became "bored" with his job as an export manager, despite having a good salary, pension plan, company car and job security. He wanted more control over his work... More
MEARS Group Day Experience
Adrian Smith, NCS student of the Renewable Heat Installer and Plumbing programme discusses a day of training as a renewable heat installer with the MEARS group day experience... More
October
MP hears how centre is supplying people with skills to succeed
South west Hertfordshire MP, David Gauke, has discovered how a centre in Watford will soon be training the future's renewable energy specialists.... More
Bright spark Andy starts up all over again
South west Hertfordshire MP, David Gauke, has discovered how a centre in Watford will soon be training the future's renewable energy specialists.... More
Green Deal now 12 months away as Energy Bill becomes law
The government's planned Green Deal energy efficiency scheme took a major step forward yesterday after the Energy Act enabling the ambitious financing initiative passed into law... More
Solar jobs soar to 25,000 on back of FiT
Analysis carried out by REA shows the number of people working in the UK solar power sector has jumped by 22,000 to 25,000 over the last 18 months and could reach... More
Green Deal Finance Company "open to all"
The Green Deal Finance Company, the new not-for-profit venture promising to unlock billions of pounds of investment to bankroll the Green Deal, will be "open to all" businesses that want to join it... More
Green Deal consortium is launched
An industry-led consortium, including British Gas, npower, E.ON and EDF Energy have set up a not-for-profit called the Green Deal Finance Company in order to provide the lowest cost of financing for Green Deal jobs... More
September
Plumbing courses in demand
Staff at the City of Bristol College were expecting a healthy response when applications opened for a course in plumbing. But they were astonished by a flood of more than 2,000 people... More
Green Skills and Training Special: Preparing for the Green Deal
In the light of Government plans to improve energy efficiency in our homes and businesses, David Pierpoint Event Director at InstallerLive 2011, explains why upskilling the workforce... More
Green Skills and Training Special: Bridging the green skills gap
The UK is facing a huge skills shortage in the transition to a low carbon economy. In this special report on green skills, Louise Bateman looks at the scale of challenge and the measures being implemented... More
Turning A Career Crisis Into An Opportunity
In this age of long term unemployment, many people are adjusting to the realities of the work force by starting their own businesses or retraining and changing careers completely... More
Green Deal is a "no brainer"
In an attempt to warm up the UKs homes and as a result make them cheaper to run, thousands of newly recruited insulation workers are due to hit our streets on a drive to insulate our homes... More
August
NCS has become the Charlton Community Trust's 8th Patron
New Career Skills has become the Trust's 8th Patron, signing up to support the Training and Employment strand. Chairman Julian Harley and CEO Steven Wines, of New Career Skills put pen to paper... More
Construction sector facing "timebomb"
THE south west's construction industry is facing a "retirement timebomb", according to one industry expert. CITB-ConstructionSkills South West said that the number of 16-19-year-olds... More
July
Christchurch man goes green
A FATHER from Christchurch has discovered his freedom after setting up a green energy business. Andrew McMullen, 37, said he became "bored" with his job... More
Green skills 'essential' to carbon-conscious building industry
Mark Farrar is the chief executive of Construction Skills, which has to ensure that the country has enough workers with "green skills" to take us into a new era of sustainable residential and commercial building... More
Massive skills shortage in renewables
Tony Bowen told H&V News the updates would make MCS "more prescriptive" and give installers and customers a better understanding of renewable energy systems... More
Birmingham City Council to spend £100m greening homes
The council claimed it would become the leading council for the government's Green Deal, with a retrofit programme in which it would initially arrange £100 million in funding... More
June
Green Deal Code will tackle unqualified installers
Following on from the government's announcement of the Green Deal last week, SummitSkills, CITB-ConstructionSkills and Asset Skills believe that... More
Surge in the number of women apprentices
Colleges are reporting a sudden upsurge in students signing up to learn how to be an electrician, decorator, mechanic or builder, and much of the increase seems to be down to female students... More
May
Green Deal creates 250000 construction jobs
Over 250,000 jobs in construction are expected to be created following the passing of the Energy Bill in Parliament earlier this week... More
Student Shortlisted for Britain’s Top Tradesman
Lloyd Wilson, who trained as an electrical installer with New Career Skills and went on to set up his own company, has made it into the final 10 of 'Britain's Top Tradesman'... More
£10,000 upfront capital under Green Deal, says Huhne
Businesses, landlords and households looking to make energy efficiency improvements on their properties will be able to access upfront capital of up to £10,000 under a new Green Deal... More
February
Career change puts Val on the right path
Val, aged 26, says that taking the leap and becoming an electrician kickstarted a new era for him, after years of struggling to find the right path. Now, just two years later, he is running his own... More
January
New career at 46 puts company director in the fast lane to happiness
Glenn Whitten, from Anchorage Park, ran a successful health and safety business for more than a decade, working with huge clients and even celebrities across the UK... More
Winter emergency calls increase by 100%
Independent heating company, Swale Heating, based in Sittingbourne, Kent, has reported a 100 per cent increase in emergency calls this winter. The company has a staff of 419 and covers... More
Skills body fears that training gap will keep SMEs out of Green Deal
ITB-ConstructionSkills has warned that thousands of small and medium-sized construction firms are not adequately trained to take advantage of government efforts to reduce carbon... More
Ex-Trucker gains new plumb role
Former rodeo rider Martin Cornell is training for a new career... His future plans will also see him concentrate on renewable materials to cater for a demand in green plumbing... More
Energy Engineer one of top jobs for 2011
The power sector is crying out for skilled engineers and for those experienced in environmental impact assessment and low carbon emissions. Skills shortages exist in both... More
News & Press - 2005/10
2010
| December |
| 'Green deal' for energy-efficient homes begins parliamentary journey Guardian.co.uk |
| Not enough trained operatives to serve UK renewable energy industry Renewable Energy Magazine |
| November |
| Green Future for Dorchester The Business Magazine |
| October |
| Green bank 'great opportunity for heating engineers' Energy Saving Trust |
| New Career Skills launches NVQ Heating & Plumbing Monthly FE Community FE Community |
| September |
| Following in his father’s footsteps a plumb job for Antony FE Community |
| MP Gets to Grips with Green Energy FE Community |
| Work Placements To Boost Job Placements St Ledger |
| Charity Run Heavy Going For Clare Wiltshire Times Hampshire Chronicle |
| August |
| Green Future For Dorchester FE Community |
| How mum Gill traded her redundancy for a new start Mirror.co.uk |
| July |
| Graduates Lending A Hand To Current Students FE Community |
| June |
| Shortage of skilled workers a 'ticking time bomb' Mail Online |
| May |
| Ex-Rodeo Rider Changes His Job Bognor Regis Guardian |
| Training Partners Who Prepare Students For Life In The Real World Hampshire Chronicle |
| March |
| Colleges cut plumbing and electrical courses to save cash The Telegraph |
| Renewables Skills Shortage The Times |
| February |
| Battle business offers a lifeline to stranded students Rye & Battle Observer |
| David Cameron Visits NCS Southampton Hampshire Chronicle Hampshire Chronicle 2 Hampshire Chronicle 3 Southern Daily Echo |
| Training Firm Wins MoD's Approval Hampshire Chronicle |
| New Career Skills offers rescue package for stranded students Hampshire Chronicle FE Community |
| January |
| On Course To Be A Live Wire Daily Mail |
| How one ex-army man diversified to thrive with New Career Skills FE Community |
| New Career Skills to help servicemen and women FE Community |
2009
| December |
| From telecoms to taps thanks to New Career Skills FE Community |
| November |
| From trouble to taps thanks to New Career Skills FE Community |
| The doctor said he didn't think I'd live to see 40 Portsmouth |
| The cheque that changed my life Daily Mail |
| £400 off a new boiler under new scrappage scheme Telegraph.co.uk |
| £180 tax saving for DIY power stations Telegraph.co.uk |
| Pale or dark, it’s a green jobs bonanza The Times Online |
| October |
| Beating dyslexia for a better life FE Community |
| Operation Civvi Street What Next Forces Resettlement Guide |
| Self Funded New Skills Recruitment International |
| September |
| Becky aiming for a plumb job Leighton Buzzard Citizen |
| July |
| Numb bum run in aid of charity for children Hampshire Chronicle |
| Out-of-work Steve switched to current role as electrician Derby Telegraph |
| 400,000 new 'green-collar' jobs Times Online |
| Low carbon way 'to reshape lives' BBC Online |
| June |
| White Collar, Blue Collar - Green is the way forward Recruitment International |
| 'I wanted a change of career' At Home Magazine |
| Tapping Into The Skills Gap The Daily Mail |
| May |
| Operation: Civvi Street Southern Echo |
| New course set to open the door to green career Hampshire Chronicle |
| April |
| Going Green Southern Daily Echo |
| March |
| New training academy could help plug renewable skills gap Green Wise Business |
| New course helps launch learners into lucrative career New Green Course |
| February |
| Barmaid to Electrician Rye & Battle Observer |
| January |
| Battle business expanding Rye & Battle Observer |
| Positive move gives Natasha new beginning Cambridge News Cambridge Style |
| Switching to plumbing was not a big wrench Kentish Gazette |
| Admin Assistant to Plumber Careershifters.org |
2008
| December |
| New Career Skills Named In The Fast Track 100 Fast Track 100 |
| Charmaine is getting stuck into a new job Southend And Basildon Echo |
| August |
| Tim's skills make him so Sioux-table for new role Hampshire Business Monthly |
| Plumbers Go To Aid Of Charity Southern Daily Echo |
| July |
| Job shock sparked a switch DailyMirror |
| April |
| Trainee sparks happy to put in charity stint Rye & Battle Observer |
| Four in ten staff 'may quit job' BBC.co.uk |
| Trainee sparks happy to put in charity stint Rye & Battle Observer |
| March |
| Sparks on and off the rugby pitch as Halifax's Will retrains as electrician |
2007
| March |
| Tapping Into Your Talents |
| January |
| University: Who needs it? TimesOnline.co.uk |
| Job applications 'full of errors' BBC.co.uk |
2006
| December |
| Work experience 'boosts earnings' BBC.co.uk |
| Site Visits — The Skills Shortage National Construction Week |
| Skills Shortage in construction and metal trade occupations |
| Statistics.gov.uk |
| Australia facing construction skills shortage Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors |
| Concerns over construction industry skills shortage highlighted The Training Foundation |
| Adults abandon further education BBC.co.uk |
| CIOB Reveals Results From Skills Shortage Research Chartered Institute of Building |
| Housing association addresses trade skills shortage Estates Review |
| Skills training 'needs shake-up' BBC.co.uk |
| November |
| New Survey Reveals How Often People Let Unqualified Workmen Into Their Homes |
| New laws needed on training. RecruiterMagazine.co.uk |
| MEPs vote to open services market. BBC.co.uk |
| Dearth of BME staff in repairs sector. InsideHousing.co.uk |
| October |
| Botched jobs 'pose risk to homes' BBC.co.uk |
| Gender stereotypes 'threaten economy' MenJobSearch |
| Move over lads. First Womens Magazine |
| July |
| 'U-turn' claim over house packs. BBC.co.uk |
| Immigration - how New Labour got the numbers completely wrong. Telegraph.co.uk |
| June |
| Age is no barrier to a new career. The Mail On Sunday |
| Sue headhunted for new role Hampshire Chronicle |
| May |
| Third of adults not learning. BBC.co.uk |
| UK consumers face three-day wait. BBC.co.uk |
| April |
| New Career Skills Sparks A Career Change |
| Feburary |
| Helping you change careers. East Sussex Echo |
| Electricians harder to find than love |
| January |
| Career in Electrics not causing a spark |
| Largest private trade skills training centre opens in Southampton. Builder and Developer Magazine |
| Get ahead... Become a hairdresser. Metro |
| Women Plumbers. Eve Magazine |
2005
| December |
| It’s never too late! |
| Training skills centre in southampton. Bathroon and Bedroom Fitter |
| Largest Skills Centre Opens. Business Magazine |
| Largest private trade skills training centre opens in southampton. Builder And Developer |
| November |
| Mature Career Changers Help Plug Skills Shortage |
| Training Centre Nears Completion. This Is Hampshire |
| New training centre addresses skills shortages Modern Building Services Journal |
| October |
| Plumbers snub jobs as lecturers...because of the £70,000 pay cut. The Mail On Sunday |
| Sparkies harder to find than love. Build It Magazine |
| Trade skills centre the first of its kind. Hampshire Chronicle |
| Centre offers 'realistic' trade skills. HVP |
| September |
| Why firms won't fund four-year apprenticeships. The Times |
| It's a wrench to have to part with £130 an hour. The Times |
| August |
| Getting apprencices to stay the course. The Times |
| April |
| Why Cowboy Builders are a Dying Breed. Metro |
| Plumb Jobs in the Pipeline. Southern Echo |
| March |
| Bournemouth, Dorset & Poole is short of 173 plumbers |
| Trainer is aiming to plug the plumbing brain drain. Romsey Advertiser |
| Now plumbers are just like gold dust. Gloucestershire Echo |
| Flexible learning aims to attract more plumbers. Romsey Advertiser |
| Easy learning plumbing for career changers. Heating & Ventilating Review (Plumbing & Heating Engineer) |
| Skilling time. Professional Heating & Plumbing Installer Magazine |
| February |
| New Career Skills Opening the path for mature career changers. Onrec.com |
"I'm a professional rugby player but sustained a career threatening injury. I realised that I needed a skill. The NCS course fitted perfectly around my life..."
"The NCS package out classed the competitors and enabled me to get out into the industry quickly. I now own a successful electrical business..."
"I had become completely office bound at the age of 49 and decided I wanted to run my own business. I now have my own successful plumbing..."
"At 44 I decided I wanted flexibility and a better work/life balance. Now I am running my own plumbing company and I have exactly that..."
"I wanted flexible hours and becoming an electrician could afford me that luxury. There is a crying need for more skilled women electricians..."
"I'm yet to finish the course, but I have still started up my own business importing, selling and installing solar systems. I think I will have a great future..."