PRINT
IT
RESELLER.UK
25
PITR:
Do you currently employ
apprentices or do you intend to in
the near future?
Scott Walker,
Head of Business
Development for MPS,
ZenOffice
:
“Yes. We have literally just brought a new
apprentice on board this September.”
Mark Smyth,
Operations Director,
Vision
:
“Vision has been participating
in apprenticeship schemes for some
years. We’ve had tremendous success in
our client services centre, field service,
technical help desk, finance and logistics.
In most cases, we go on to offer full time
employment, resulting in some excellent
additions to the team!”
Colin Griffin,
Managing Director,
Blackbox Solutions
:
“We have
employed one apprentice, who spent 18
months training to become a technician
with our engineering department. He has
since completed his apprenticeship but
unfortunately he then decided to pursue
career options outside of the sector, which
was a great shame as we would certainly
have kept him on.
“We don’t have any immediate plans
to replace him as we are currently focussed
on growing the business into several new
sectors and training our existing staff
members, but it’s not something we’ve
ruled out in the longer term.”
Aimee Timmins,
Financial Director,
Sharples Group
:
“We have recently
enquired about taking on an apprentice
and are in the process of interviewing
candidates. Recruiting people that have
particular skills needed to help move a
business forward can be demanding. If we
can find someone with enthusiasm and
talent we can train them up for a specific
role.”
Julian Stafford,
Managing Director,
Midshire Business Systems Northern
Ltd
:
“The Midshire Group currently
employs a number of apprentices, working
across sites including Stockport, West
Bromwich and Sheffield. The number
of apprentices employed is expected to
increase as the business continues to grow.
“We have a strong apprentice
programme and have been continually
recruiting and training apprentices since
2011. Since that time, the Stockport office
has employed eleven across areas such as
business administration, IT and warehouse
operations and is still looking to add to this
number.
“Six of those apprentices have now
completed their apprenticeships and are
working full-time within the company.
These youngsters have quickly progressed
to administration executives, network and
training specialists and even engineer roles.
“In December 2015, our Stockport
office was awarded a Silver Working
with Young People Award by Stockport
Metropolitan Borough Council. The award
recognises employers that have assisted
with both the training and education of
young people between the age of 14 and
19 in Stockport.
“To receive the award, employers
must undertake internal activities such
as employing apprentices and offering
work experience placements, and external
activities including hosting workshops,
lessons or mock interviews with schools or
colleges.”
Chris Roll,
Managing Director,
RDT
Office Solutions Group
:
“RDT has had
As apprenticeships gain momentum across many business
sectors,
PrintIT Reseller
asks this month’s panel for insight into
take-up within the channel
Hiring an apprentice.
Is it good for business?
an active policy to recruit apprentices in
place for more than ten years. We are a
firm believer in giving back to the local
community, and providing employment
opportunities is part of that commitment.
Today, there are many exceptional schemes
in place that support businesses employing
through apprenticeships and if you have
the infrastructure and means to mentor
staff, apprentices provide an excellent
source of talent that can be nurtured to
grow within the business.”
Beth Fairweather,
Technical Training
Manager,
Danwood
:
“Danwood
absolutely supports apprenticeships and
has been doing so for the past few years,
we have seen it work very well for our
business.
“In 2015, we took on ten service
apprentices who completed and attained
their Advanced Apprenticeship (Level
3) IT Support and Helpdesk. Each one
was then offered a permanent contract
to become a trainee within the service
area. We currently have three apprentices
completing Level 3 and one completing
Level 4, they will complete their training in
October this year.
“We are very pleased to announce
that In October we will have another
seven apprentices start with the business
completing their Level 3.”
VOX POP
Continued...
Chris Roll,
RDT Office
Solutions Group
Aimee Timmins,
Sharples Group
