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We have invested in apprenticeships over the past few years, as we truly believe that they bring a huge value to both the apprentice and the employee. Benefits include:
For the apprentice
Earning while learning – apprentices will receive a salary, as well as gaining a qualification
The opportunity to work alongside - and learn from - experienced professionals
Gaining valuable work place skills and experience.
Improved career prospects on completion of an apprenticeship.
For the employer
Apprentices bring a new perspective and offer fresh new ideas to a business.
Training a new employee to understand the interests of your business from day one, of their career.
Encourages businesses to look at the way they do things, due to passing on knowledge and expertise to people keen to learn the trade or business. This can lead to improvements and being more efficient.
Apprenticeships can assist with staff retention, by providing a business with skilled staff for the future.
Our top tips to a successful apprenticeship:
For the apprentice
Be professional – be punctual; wear appropriate clothes for work; have a positive attitude
Make sure that dedicated time is given to completing college work, as this is equally as important as doing the job.
Network and make connections with people who you meet at work.
Don’t worry about asking questions – you don’t know, what you don’t know. Make sure to ask questions and absorb as much information as possible from work colleagues and college assessors.
Don’t give up – it is natural to feel overwhelmed and some days will feel hard, and this is where talking to someone is so important.
For the employer
The apprentice job role must be meaningful and busy.
The job role must provide opportunities to allow the apprentice to develop both professionally and personally
The team environment needs to be supportive, and the apprentice should be around colleagues and not feel isolated; or work on their own.
A consistent line manager for the apprentice, to give that constant support throughout the apprenticeship.
Consider that additional support might be needed; for example, support with the apprentice’s mental health.
Apprenticeships link with our whole town approach to resilience. Our apprentices often talk about the Resilient Framework having a positive impact on their lives. For example, in the beginning we spent time working on the Basics – like having good sleep hygiene or assisting them with budgeting. We also know the importance of really getting to know the apprentices and discover what their talents are – this could be speaking another language, the ability to speak in public; or having a creative flair. You can then truly harness their talent and look for opportunities to enable them to shine.
And for the business, appointing a young apprentice and involving them as part of a co-productive practice, will enhance the decision making within the business. And using and promoting Resilient Therapy within the day to day running of the business, will result in having a more resilient workforce.
*** We offered a 5 week ‘pre-apprenticeship course’ with the aim of preparing young people to be ‘work ready’, as well as giving guidance on completing application forms and on attending interviews. Full attendance on the course gave the young person a guaranteed interview for one of our apprenticeships ***
*** Apprentice Stories Video – combining all the best bits from all 5 videos ***
*** Photo/Blurb of Laura getting Apprentice of the Year ***
*** Video of Josh K South Africa trip ***
