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VOX POP
PITR:
The National Apprenticeship
Service (NAS) says that 92% of
employers taking on apprentices
noticed a more motivated workforce
and 80% saw an increase in
productivity in the workplace. What
has been your experience?
Scott Walker:
“I’ve employed four
apprentices within the last five years. Each
of those have gone on to do bigger and
better things. If I can get an apprentice
to the point that they’ve gained enough
valuable experience to allow them to make
their way into a role they truly want to do,
then I’ve done my job as their mentor.
“Apprentices don’t come on board with
some of the bad habits we all pick up from
working in different office environments.
More than that, I find they are just so
eager to learn new things.
“My current apprentice has been
working with me for less than a week and
she’s already cleansed more information
that the whole team has in the last six
months…says it all really!”
Mark Smyth:
“The apprentices we
have experienced so far, have mostly
been excellent, with the odd exception
which you expect to some extent and
would be the same if we were hiring fully
experienced, skilled employees. They have a
good work ethic and are keen to progress
and further their careers, whilst maximising
opportunities for both our organisation
and personally, and it certainly rubs off on
others in the workplace.”
Colin Griffin:
“Employing an apprentice
certainly brought some benefits to
Blackbox Solutions. It was particularly
encouraging to see how our staff
responded to the challenge of managing
and mentoring a young trainee in the
workplace, particularly as some of those
involved had little prior experience of
managing and delegating work to team
members.
“Their efforts were rewarded, as
the apprentice improved his grades and
performance throughout his training. The
members of staff involved rose to the
challenge and extra responsibilities and I
believe it was a great benefit for them.
“However, I wouldn’t say that our
productivity was improved by the presence
of an apprentice and we had a few
teething problems in the early months.
I think the key issue is that apprentices
come direct from school and in our
experience it took a little time to inculcate
them in the business world and for their
maturity to catch up and match our
expectations.”
Aimee Timmins:
“We are still very much
in the early stages but a more motivated
workforce and increased productivity is
exactly what we are looking for and have
discussed this as being a major benefit to
taking on an apprentice.”
Julian Stafford:
“As a business we
see huge potential in investing in young
people. Our motto is hire the best, keep the
best and develop our youngsters. We train
them to the highest levels possible and
develop them through the business in the
direction they choose for themselves.
“Young people have a huge impact on
our business, they are enthusiastic, eager
to learn and have a lot of ideas to bring
to the table, especially where technology
is concerned. The youngsters we bring
through are avid users of technology. They
use the latest devices and apps all day
every day and are at the forefront of what’s
out there. Young people are the future of
our business and we can learn a lot from
them.”
Chris Roll:
“15 per cent of our existing
workforce joined us as apprentices and
we’ll typically take between three to four
new apprentices per annum. It’s not easy
to attribute productivity and motivation
to the influx of young apprentices to the
business, but there is certainly a noticeable
link in the supportive culture within RDT
and much of that stems from the fact we
have employees that started as apprentices
all across our business.
“Our experience has been very positive
and we recruit on the basis that if the
candidate has the right work ethic we can
provide them with an opportunity to learn
a little about the whole business before
deciding together where they’d be best
placed.”
Beth Fairweather:
“Yes, I would agree.
When our apprentices start with the
business they’re assigned a mentor. During
breaks from training they will go out with
their mentor to shadow the work they
are doing, which both the apprentice and
mentor find to be rewarding.
“We have found all previous
apprentices to be extremely motivated to
learn new things and adapt very well to
change. They integrate really well with our
existing workforce and their willingness
to support has a positive impact on all
parties.”
PITR:
83% of apprentice employers
believe that they are investing in
the future of their business. What
are your views on developing
apprenticeships to build key skills
within your company?
Scott Walker:
“Every company has
an image of their perfect employee. An
apprentice is the best way to mould that
perfect employee. They’re trained from
scratch and carry out their tasks in the
way we see as ‘best practice’. I started my
career as an apprentice and some of the
best employees I’ve brought on board have
been apprentices.”
Mark Smyth:
“The apprenticeship service
is one of many ways Vision supports
development and business growth,
enabling us to add skills and resources in
areas where they are needed most.”
Colin Griffin:
“At present we are
focussed on growing our business into new
Young people
have a huge
impact on
our business,
they are
enthusiastic,
eager to learn
and have a
lot of ideas to
bring to the
table
Continued...
Mark Smyth, Vision
Julian Stafford,
Midshire Business
Systems Northern
Ltd
...continued
