In August 2024, Vodafone hosted an event, at its HQ in Newbury, attended by Cornerstone, Virgin Media O2, Ericsson and others to discuss labour forecasting and skills shortage in the Cellular Network sector. This was an opportunity to promote the benefits of the Cellular Network Field Engineer (CNFE) apprenticeship launch through industry collaboration.
Andy Reakes, JIB and ECS Director of Growth and Development, spoke about the benefits of using ECS platforms for workforce visibility, assurance and competence. JIB and ECS have worked with hundreds of organisations to develop, launch, and certify apprenticeship standards and vocational education routes. In 2023 it launched the Cellular Network Field Engineer gold card, to complement the development of the apprenticeship in this sector.
Led by Andy Train, Chair of the apprenticeship trailblazer group, the CNFE Employer Group confirmed the launch of the Cellular Network Field Engineer apprenticeship scheme with its first intake of apprentices. This apprenticeship aims to provide the necessary skills for new entrants into the sector as well as an upskilling route for those who already have some experience.
Andy Train said: “The Cellular Network Field Engineer trailblazer will provide the cellular industry long overdue standardisation, cementing a foundation to permit young talented people to enter a fast moving and ever evolving industry sector. It will ensure the industry is safeguarded for the future with highly skilled engineers. It will also enable us to stabilise structures to ensure forecasting can be established, bringing a long overdue era of stability for both employer and employee.”
Andy Reakes commented on the event: “This was a fantastic opportunity to consider the strategic objectives of leading organisations in the sector and discuss directly with their supply chains the future skills need. ECS and JIB continue to work with industry partners to create clear career routes into the many sectors that make up the electrotechnical industry. Apprenticeships play a vital role in ensuring the workforce is made up of highly skilled engineers who can complete jobs to the required high standard thanks to the qualification and competence structures established by industry.”
Fredric Sundin, Head of Network Development UK at Vodafone said: “During the past four years Vodafone has been working with the CNFE committee to formulate the Cellular Network Field Engineer apprenticeship standard in UK. This launch is not only good for UK and the industry, but also for all young people who are looking for an exciting career in a sector at the heart of a digital and connected future.
The CNFE committee, together with ECS, are doing a fantastic job leading the way for telecom apprenticeships. It is great to be part of this initiative and I am looking forward to what this will bring to the industry in the future in terms of raising standards and providing opportunities.”
Vodafone and Cornerstone have since registered for ECS online services including the Employer Portal as a way to manage their workforce, apply for ECS cards, view CPD, and manage their relevant competences.
For more information about this apprenticeship and its availability, you can find out more on the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IFATE) website here.
