One of the key areas for apprentices to focus on outside of the job, are soft skills. Soft skills are essential to improving your ability to work with others, problem solve and communicate well – an important element of working in high hazard industries. These acquired behaviours are also a requirement of the apprenticeship standard.

CATCH Apprenticeships recognise how important it is to offer contextualised training, not only on plant, but also continuing this ethos within our added value courses.

Last week, our apprentices visited Think Forensic, a local highly regarded training organisation that delivers crime scene investigation experiences and bespoke courses. Our students were engaged from the start, as they learned about road safety, knife crime and the impact drugs and alcohol can have. The course finished with the students putting into practice what they had learned, with investigating a simulated road traffic collision, incorporating real life actors!

Debbie Lumb, Lead Process Trainer at CATCH Apprenticeships said “The students will remember this course for the rest of their lives.  Led by CEO Sue Procter, an ex- police officer and supported by Steve Stott, an ex traffic cop –  the course was a rollercoaster of emotions.  We heard from Chris who suffered severe, life changing injuries at the hands of his friends in a terrible car accident, to wearing “beer googles” to understand how alcohol effects the vision. Not only does this course teach specifics about personal safety, but also works on developing the softer skills required to further their careers in industry”

Cameron Sheridan – CATCH Apprentices added, “

I was lucky enough to attend the think forensic session where we learnt a lot about drivers safety and also about how police deal with crashes, drink drivers and personal safety. It was a really good day and I learnt a lot about so much, which will help me in the future when I am driving to make sure I keep myself safe and other drivers safe”.

To find out more about CATCH apprenticeships visit – www.catchuk.org