FEATURE
TOP TIPS FOR SETTING UP AN APPRENTICESHIP SCHEME
Rarely a week goes by when apprenticeships aren’t mentioned in the news. In fact, it was revealed earlier this year that demand for them stands at an all-time high, with an average of 10 applications submitted for every vacancy advertised in 2012 (National Apprenticeships Service, January 2013).
In response to this growing trend, we’ve compiled a list of top tips to help you set up and improve your own scheme, produced with help from the AGR companies who know best. Each of the organisations quoted below were commended last year by the NAS and City & Guilds on their list of the Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers, a national prize-giving scheme established to celebrate apprenticeship provision and participation throughout the UK.
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If you have any ideas or advice in addition to those mentioned here, we would love to hear them. Feel free to post these on our LinkedIn group, or tweet us @ agrtweets.
“Rising university fees pose a big problem to many students – and as a result, to employers too. As the amount of young people going to university decreases, it will become increasingly difficult to attract entry level talent into blue chip businesses. One solution could be to establish a higher apprenticeship stream which allows young people to join your business after A-levels and gain academic knowledge whilst they learn on the job. Siemens is offering this option for A-level students who wish to have a career in Engineering, Projects, or Finance & Commercial. Our higher apprenticeships offer an attractive alternative to going to university.” Martin Hottass, UK Skills Partner, Siemens
“The key to establishing a successful apprenticeship scheme lies in securing the commitment of your leadership team, and finding a high quality training provider with whom you can work successfully.”
Simon Collins, EAME Future Talent Development Manager, Caterpillar
“Tata Steel run apprentice programmes across the UK. All Tata Steel Apprentices are provided with an attractive bursary or salary throughout their training period as well as receiving paid release to partner Further Education Colleges culminating in a recognised qualification. If you want to set up a scheme like this the advice is to get in touch with the Sector Skills Council to discuss setting up a framework for an apprenticeship in your industry.” Benjamin Short, Recruitment Consultant, Tata Steel UK
“There are many factors that create a successful apprenticeship scheme, the great support that our Chairman gives to the scheme is key. Challenge your apprentices to improve the business with projects and initiatives, and create
a communicative environment. Make sure that the company know who your apprentices are and celebrate their successes. Our apprentices have proved to be ambitious and passionate, and with the help of senior backing, have been able to celebrate their significant contribution to an award winning apprentice programme.” Damian Brown, Head of Accredited Learning, BT
“At IBM we have found there have been several factors involved in building our successful apprenticeship scheme Executive sponsorship from the top of the organisation is key, backed by dedicated people and task managers
to support the apprentices through their training and professional development. A structured education framework is essential in partnership with a reputable training provider. Additionally it is advantageous to place the apprentices in real roles right from the start, as full time employees with long term career prospects within the company. Finally, a continued development path once the
apprentices qualify to enable them to move forward to the next stage of their career.” Jenny Taylor, UK Foundation Manager, Graduate, Apprenticeship and Student Schemes, IBM
“Our structured apprenticeship programmes combine on-the-job training with nationally recognised qualifications and are shaped to suit our business needs. “By giving apprentices meaningful
challenges and rewarding their achievements, they are having a positive impact on our business, and we would recommend other employers consider apprenticeships as a model for developing the workforce of the future.” David Bennett, Chief Executive, Sanctuary’s Group
18 GRADUATE RECRUITER
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