GALLERY: Apprenticeships at Steve Willis: '˜The way forward for young people'

And with construction services company Carillion’s collapse sparking shock last week, I was keen to find out if there was a shortage in our district, and if so, how were we trying to combat the problem.

I paid Steve Willis Training Centres in Burgess Hill a visit.

The centre in Sheddingdean Industrial Estate, Marchants Way, offers gas, electrical and plumbing apprenticeships and short courses.

Steve, 54, set up the company 17 years ago after managing a gas and electrical programme at Crawley College for 13 years.

“I decided to go it alone and I took a gamble,” he told me.

It was clear his gamble had paid off. The centre is currently home to 300 apprentices.

Due to Steve’s success, he was able to open another centre in Portchester, near Portsmouth.

“We have people travelling far to us because they want to do our programmes, which is great,” he said.

“The amount of apprentices we have at the moment is higher than ever – we are oversubscribed. We are attracting more women to our programme too.

“We also have people coming back to us with their apprentices. We are where we are because we have been very successful.

“We hold a graduation ceremony at The Kings Centre in Burgess Hill every year, which is a true highlight.”

Steve was born in Burgess Hill. His two daughters, Nicola, 24, and Colleen, 20, also work in the business.

PR coordinator Amanda Green, who took me around the centre, told me apprenticeships seemed to be ‘flourishing’ in the town.

“We have lots of people coming to our open days and we go to schools to talk about our programme. A modern apprenticeship seems to be the way forward for young people,” she said.

“The graduation ceremony is the highlight of the year for us. To see apprentices, their families and employees come down – it is rewarding to watch.

“And to see these young people come to us straight from school and when they leave they are ready to go out and work – and they are getting a great career out of it.”

The centre offers hazardous situations in set-up rooms so apprentices can learn in real-life settings and complete assessments. Classes range from 12 to 18 apprentices.

On my visit I was welcomed by Kevin Smith, curriculum leader for gas and plumbing, who was teaching his apprentices.

A previous British Gas engineer, who ran his own plumbing and heating company, he decided he wanted to use his experience to teach others.

“I really enjoy it,” he told me.

“It can be challenging but you can expect that working with young people. For me the rewards are fantastic.

“Every year we have a graduation evening and that is when I get my biggest buzz – when we give them their certificates.

“You strike up a bond with these kids, sometimes you are not just their tutor or trainer, but you are their mother, father, or brother.