Education spotlight
Empowering the next generation of the channel with apprenticeship schemes
Gavin Jones, Channel Sales Director, BT Wholesale discusses how
apprenticeship schemes will help bridge the skills gap within the channel and pave the way for the next generation of creative leadership individuals.
T
he COVID-19 pandemic hit youth employment hard, with 465,000 people between the ages of 16 and 24 leſt unemployed at the end of 2021. Tech companies now have
a responsibility to be a part of the solution, and an opportunity to usher in the next generation of talent. Immersive, dynamic apprenticeships are part of the answer, and can offer practical experience and genuine inspiration to young people. As well as this, apprenticeships help to support diversity,
ensuring that a wide variety of people have the opportunity to work in the channel. Investing in training people and empowering them with the digital skills they need to prosper in the working world – all whilst earning a wage – is important to support young workers and ensure the future industry reflects the makeup of society. It’s clear that apprenticeships are incredibly valuable and help
ensure that emerging technology talent is identified and nurtured. Tat said, kick-starting a scheme can be daunting. To ensure an apprenticeship is successful there are some key attributes to consider and combine.
Entry points and inclusion Before embarking on an apprenticeship scheme, channel businesses need to consider which demographic they want to serve. Primarily, apprenticeship schemes should offer entry points for GCSE or A-level school leavers. If a company has the resources to do so, it’s important to run programmes at each different level, because this increases the pool of talent for young people that have a passion for the channel and telecommunications. By developing a comprehensive and inclusive programme, apprentices can be championed to introduce new points of view, keep the business forward-thinking and innovative in its approach.
Immersive learning Te notion that university is the sole route to employment needs to be dispelled – indeed, no one should feel like they can’t succeed if they aren’t academic, or if they feel university isn’t right for them. Offering real experiences through apprenticeships is an effective way of de-bunking this myth and shows that learning by getting stuck into the day-to-day of a role early can be just as effective. Not only can apprenticeship schemes entice talented young people who are keen to make a real impact while learning,
44 | June 2022
they also provide the practical skills necessary to empower the next generation of the channel. Tis is highly beneficial for organisations that are tackling ongoing challenges related to the skills gap, enabling them to fast-track new talent into integral roles. However, practical experience should still be supplemented with
the theoretical knowledge that trainees need to succeed in the role. Having a classroom-based element to an apprenticeship scheme will provide new joiners with the technical knowledge they need, which can then be put into action during the hands-on elements of the scheme. We call this a blended learning approach. Apprentices should also be rotated across various departments
and functions, providing them with a cohesive understanding of the organisation. Tis will provide deeper insight and help to identify where new skills and talent should be deployed.
Digital skills and talent Digital skills will be at the core of the next generation of the channel, which means they must be at the heart of any successful apprenticeship scheme. Making a long-term investment in young tech talent will be a valuable strategy for organisations, and the chance to learn about and work with cutting-edge technology is an attractive proposition. Te COVID-19 pandemic has contributed heavily to the growing
demand for digital skills, making it urgent for organisations to foster these skillsets and a culture to match. Bringing in young talent will add an innovative new perspective to an organisation, assisting it in moving away from various legacy approaches and ways of working. Not only will apprenticeship schemes help to develop the digital capabilities of your organisation and the channel in the short- term, but apprentices are also much more likely to remain with the business long into the future.
Shaping the future In summary, apprenticeship schemes are a way for organisations to shape their own future while boosting youth employment. Schemes can be designed in-house to the specifications of the organisation, factoring in the requirements that will help to empower the next generation of the channel. Businesses can nurture and benefit from the ambition and innovative thinking of talented apprentices to close critical skills gaps, drive forward a digital culture, and promote greater diversity.
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