Wednesday, May 11, 2011 worcesternews.co.

uk 1
2 worcesternews.co.uk 100 APPRENTICESHIPS IN 100 DAYS Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Apprenticeships aren’t a thing

of the past – they’re the future
The Government values the importance of apprentices. It is committing more than £1.3 billion a year so that more can be trained

COMMITTED: Karen Woodward.

T
HERE are so many real,
bottom line business
benefits from employing
apprentices that Karen
Woodward,
apprenticeship director for the
West Midlands, can’t understand
why every employer in the region
wouldn’t want to do it.
She said: “Some people think
apprenticeships are a thing of the
past but, at a time when cuts are
being made elsewhere, businesses
of all sizes and the Government
believe that apprentices will play a
vital role in economic recovery and
stability.
“The Government has committed
more than £1.3 billion every year to
increase the availability of training
for more apprentices.
“We have a number of
apprenticeship vacancies on our
website but we need even more
employers to rise to this
apprenticeship challenge and help
Worcestershire people, especially STAKE IN THE FUTURE: The Government and businesses of all sizes believe that apprentices play a vital role in the country’s economic recovery.
young adults, to start on a new
career path. of quality-assured training can browse, search and apply for as an NVQ level two, key skills as NVQ level four and, in some
“For employers an apprentice will providers to help introduce vacancies online to find their ideal and, in some cases, a relevant cases, a knowledge-based
bring real business benefits that apprentices into and across job. knowledge-based qualification qualification such as a foundation
more than repays any investment business, and helping to convert “Currently there are 82 vacancies such as a BTEC. degree, which can lead into higher
in skills and will contribute to the existing staff into apprentices. in Worcestershire and 45 in Advanced apprenticeships education.
local economy. So apprenticeships “An apprenticeship provides a Herefordshire.” (equivalent to two A-level passes): The majority of apprentices
do matter to employers, perfect combination of on and off- Apprenticeships are rewarding Advanced apprentices work successfully complete their
individuals and the country.” the-job training; working to for people of all ages but in towards work-based learning apprenticeship programme – 71 per
Apprenticeships are no longer the nationally recognised particular for young adults and can qualifications such as NVQ level cent in 2008/09 – an impressive nine
domain of the young. They are qualifications and we also offer three levels for those aged 16 three, key skills and, in most cases, out of 10 remain in employment or
available to all ages, both new and contribute towards the costs.” and over. a relevant knowledge based enter further training at the end of
existing employees. For young people an Apprenticeships (equivalent to certificate such as a BTEC. their apprenticeship programme.
Mrs Woodward said: apprenticeship ensures that they five good GCSE passes): Higher Apprenticeships: Those with an Advanced
“Apprenticeships play a critical get a good start in developing real Apprentices work towards work- Apprentices work towards work- Apprenticeship earn an average of
role in the development of skills. In 2009 there were more than based learning qualifications such based learning qualifications such TURN TO PAGE 4
advanced skills and they provide 240,000 apprentices who began
both a route into employment for
people, especially the young, and a
their careers on the programme.
Mrs Woodward said: WHAT’S ON OFFER FROM AN APPRENTICESHIP
great opportunity to boost the “Apprenticeships train people in
productivity of existing employees. the skills employers want and they e 100 per cent apprenticeship free, national recruitment service back on the investment made in
“They provide real, measurable are a great way to start and training funded by Government dedicated to finding the best them. The return on Government
business benefits for employers progress in a career, equipping for 16 to 18 year-olds and a candidate for your company. investment for apprenticeships
and they support productive, apprentices with the skills and substantial contribution for adult works out at about £40 for each £1
e More than 200 apprenticeship
enthusiastic and loyal people into experience they need but also apprentices. of Government funding.
training frameworks from nursing
an organisation, demonstrating an providing the opportunity to study
e Support for the induction and to graphic design, horticulture to e Employers pay the salary. The
employer’s true commitment to a a qualification valued by
training of new recruits and also electric vehicle engineering and national minimum wage for
skilled workforce, to their employers.
the chance to up-skill or re-skill a which cover a significant number apprentices under 19 is £2.50 an
customers and suppliers. “The National Apprenticeship
firm’s existing workforce to meet of different job roles. hour (increasing to £2.60 anhour
“The National Apprenticeship Service has a simple applications
the changing needs of industry. e A return on investment. Many in October 2011), although many
Service in the West Midlands is system called Apprenticeship
e Support to recruit. There is a apprentices make a significant pay employers choose to pay more.
focused on working with a network Vacancies, so potential apprentices

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Wednesday, May 11, 2011 100 APPRENTICESHIPS IN 100 DAYS
Our training will be
great for your firm
Company
Pershore College
Business type
P
Training and education
ERSHORE College offers
Established training and education
for businesses and
1949 individuals across the
land-based industries.
Delivery manager These include horticulture
(production, amenity, parks,
grounds and open spaces and
Laura Stewart sports turf), arboriculture,
floristry, animal welfare,
Telephone veterinary nursing, agriculture,
equine, environmental
01926 318261 conservation, food and drink and
motor vehicle. The college also
Website offers training in areas of IT,
management and first aid.
warwickshire.ac.uk Pershore College – which is
part of Warwickshire College –
E-mail runs a very successful
apprenticeship programme
employers@warwickshire.ac.uk where students can study for an
average of one day a week and
spend the rest of their time in the
Location work place.
Alternative programmes
Pershore College, include work-based training and
Avonbank, Pershore, block release.
Worcestershire WR10 3JP These schemes are great for
businesses because a company
has the chance to train its
apprentices in its own ethos,
FOR THE LATEST NEWS AND UPDATES ABOUT THE 100 IN 100 APPRENTICESHIPS CAMPAIGN GO TO WORCESTER NEWS.CO.UK/100
worcesternews.co.uk 3
receive government funding for
training the apprentice (limit
depending on age) and see
productivity improve as a result.
The majority of
apprenticeships include two free
competency certificates for the
apprentice (often saving £100s)
including a first aid certificate. TRAINING
As the apprentice is still ‘in PACKAGE:
training’ the business is not Staff at
obliged to pay the minimum Pershore
wage, although the college College –
encourages businesses to initiate part of
incentive schemes. Warwickshire
Pershore College has a College –
specialist employer responsive run a very
team dedicated to creating the successful
right training package for each programme
businesses. for company
The college is committed to apprentices.
finding solutions for businesses
large and small, from delivering try to deliver what works best for apprentice with Pershore College
bespoke training on company that it and will provide one you can ensure you are in great
premises for smaller firms who member of its team to work with hands.
may have just two or three a company to find out exactly “We will guide you every step
employees and are in need of what it wants and so ensure the of the way to make sure we help
something bespoke to catering college delivers the best service you find not only the right
for their niche market. it can. member of staff but the right
Whatever a company’s Laura Stewart, delivery apprenticeship programme that
circumstances, the college will manager, said: “By choosing an works for you.”
4 worcesternews.co.uk 100 APPRENTICESHIPS IN 100 DAYS Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Team dedicated to
helping businesses
FROM PAGE 2
about £100,000 more over their
lifetime than those with a
qualification at level two or below.
Apprenticeships offer a minimum
wage which is £2.50 an hour but the
average wage is £170 per week.
They also offer quality training. At
age 18, 87 per cent of apprentices
thought that the quality of training
they received was good or very
good.
The National Apprenticeship
Service in the West Midlands has a
team dedicated to working with
employers to look at the individual
business needs and how
apprenticeships can add value to
the bottom line.
An independent study carried out
by the University of Warwick
Institute for Employment
Research demonstrated that
apprenticeships are a good
investment for employers and
where the investment is nurtured,
the returns to the employer are
significant.
The study concluded that:
e The costs of apprenticeship
training is recouped relatively
quickly.
e Apprentices provide a pool of
skilled people to select from for
future promotion,
e Apprentices are seen as loyal,
more likely to stay with a company
and steeped in company values and
businesses across the country are
increasingly realising the
enormous benefits that
apprenticeships bring:
e A highly skilled workforce –
83 per cent of employers who
employ apprentices rely on their
apprenticeship programmes to
provide the skilled workers that
they need for the future.
e A boost to productivity,
profitability, efficiency and staff
retention. Eighty per cent of those
who employ apprentices agree that
they make the workplace more
productive.
e A loyal and hardworking
workforce that help businesses
grow. Eight-eight per cent of
employers who employ apprentices
believe that apprenticeships lead to
a more motivated and satisfied
workforce.
e Credibility. Eighty-one per cent
of consumers would prefer to use a
company that employs apprentices.
e New ideas and innovation to a
business.
To find out more about how
apprenticeships can benefit your
business, contact the National
Apprenticeship Service on 08000
150600 or visit
apprenticeships.org.uk
If you would like to find out more
about apprenticeships and
investigate what is available then
go to apprenticeships.org.uk.
WORKFORCE: Apprentices provide the country with a pool of skilled people.

Benefit to economy
V
OCATIONAL
training group
ATL is
encouraging
businesses to get
behind a national drive to
Company create more
apprenticeships, saying it
ATL can bring lasting benefits
for employers.
The company is backing
Business type the 100 in 100 campaign,
which aims to create 100
Vocational trainer apprenticeships in 100
days. As well as
Established generating
apprenticeships the
1992 campaign aims to
encourage local
Managing director businesses and young
people to take a fresh look
Nick Hayward at the benefits and
opportunities that
apprenticeships can bring.
Telephone ATL is one of the UK’s
leading providers of
01299 251033/0800 9753026 building services training,
with more than 5,000
Website students a year passing
through its nationwide
apprenticeshiptraining.co.uk network of training
centres. The firm operates
E-mail a large purpose-built
training centre in
info@apprenticeshiptraining.co.uk Hartlebury, near
Kidderminster, offering
training in a range of
Location trades, including
plumbing, heating and
Unit 288, ventilation, electrical, gas
Hartlebury Trading Estate, and building controls.
Hartlebury, near Kidderminster, Nick Hayward,
managing director, said:
Worcestershire DY10 4JB
“Apprenticeships are so
important for industry
SKILLS: ATL apprentices.
and for ensuring we have
the skilled and
experienced tradespeople
we need in the future.
“We’re encouraging
businesses to see the
positive, long term
benefits than taking on an
apprentice can bring.
They can become an asset
to a company from day one.”
ATL has an enviable
reputation and successful
track record as a
specialist training
provider offering a wide
choice of trade specific
courses. Its training has
been praised by Ofsted
and every course offered
by ATL leads to industry
recognised skills and
professional qualifications.
The provision of
professional, high quality
and innovative training
solutions has put ATL at
the forefront of vocational
training in the UK for
almost 20 years.

FOR THE LATEST NEWS AND UPDATES ABOUT THE 100 IN 100 APPRENTICESHIPS CAMPAIGN GO TO WORCESTER NEWS.CO.UK/100
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
College is
helping to
lift profile
W
ORCESTER
College of
Technology is one
of the largest
training providers
within Worcestershire and
Herefordshire.
It has a proven track record in
providing training to a wide range
of local, regional and national
employers and understands that
businesses today have many
challenges – new technologies,
ageing workforces, global
competition and a move from a
skills economy towards a
knowledge economy.
For any manager or director,
identifying ways to develop the
progress towards a successful
future is key.
With tougher competition,
economic uncertainty and high
FOR THE LATEST NEWS AND UPDATES ABOUT THE 100 IN 100 APPRENTICESHIPS CAMPAIGN GO TO WORCESTER NEWS.CO.UK/100
100 APPRENTICESHIPS IN 100 DAYS
customer expectations, the need to
continually develop, innovate and
sustain a workforce is crucial to a
firm’s success and six out of 10
employers say they rely on
apprentices to give them the
skilled workers which they need
for the future.
The right training solutions can
bring many benefits to any
organisation. Apprenticeships are
established qualifications which
will bring value to a business,
whether delivered to new or
existing employees.
Worcester College of Technology
has more than 265 apprentices on
courses delivering programmes to
more than 147 organisations – with
success rates that are higher than
the national average for
intermediate and advanced
apprenticeship frameworks. It also
has flexible delivery models where
training can be delivered at the
college or in the workplace.
Worcester College of Technology
delivers more than 45 different
apprenticeship frameworks at the
intermediate, advanced and higher
level covering a wide range of
vocational sectors.
These include construction,
business and administration,
hospitality, health and social care,
hairdressing, children and young
people’s workforce, supporting
teaching and learning, industrial
applications, warehousing, team
leading and management.
Worcester College of Technology
Solutions can help companies to
find employees who will fit into
their organisation, become an
integral part of a workforce and
help meet specific future business
needs.
Linda Thornton, training and
quality manager for First
Personnel, said: “Using the
National Apprenticeship Service
website to advertise
ourapprenticeship vacancy was a
stress-free means of our finding a
suitable candidate, enhanced by
the fact that we now have such a
valuable employee.”
By working with Worcester
College of Technology employers
will be raising the profile of their
organisation by recruiting or
training members of staff who are
committed to their particular
worcesternews.co.uk 5
VALUED:
Jay Clamp,
right,
apprentice
Barber,
at Barber
Town in
Worcester,
with
owner,
Jon
Bourne,
left.
business, committed to learning
and committed to performing well.
Sarah Baldwin, human resources
manager at the Morgan Motor
Company in Malvern Link
passionately believes that
apprentices are integral to the
development of the business.
She said: “Apprenticeship
programmes support the passing
on of knowledge and skills which
we have to retain within the
business to maintain longevity.
Apprentices also inject
enthusiasm and increased levels of
motivation into the work teams”.
Ian Tinsley from HairStation in
Kidderminster, said: “Employing
apprentices is a great investment
for the future of my business.”
6 worcesternews.co.uk
We’re working to
help firms succeed
T
HE National
Apprenticeship Service
(NAS) was established to
respond to the
Government’s ambition
for apprenticeships.
Launched in April 2009, it was set
up to work directly with employers
and support learners so more
people would benefit from high
quality apprenticeship
opportunities.
The NAS delivers these ambitions
by helping employers to introduce
apprentices into their business or
up-skill or re-skill existing staff
through apprenticeship training.
It connects employers to quality
assured training providers best
able to deliver the right
apprenticeship training and it
offers a free service to employers to
advertise their vacancies
nationally through apprenticeship
vacancies on-line.
The NAS recognises that
apprenticeships can play a vital
role in enabling people to develop
the skills they need to become
more mobile in the labour market.
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100 APPRENTICESHIPS IN 100 DAYS
It uses its apprenticeships
vacancies on-line service as the
tool to connect those looking for a
job to what is available.
Karen Woodward, regional
apprenticeship director, said: “We
are committed to doing this
regardless of age. It is vital if we
are to create real job opportunities
through apprenticeships for those
currently out of work.
“It is clear that young people
must make themselves more
competitive in an ever increasing
global and higher skilled labour
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
market and can use
apprenticeships as an important
pathway into higher level skills
training and higher education.”
Apprenticeships offer a cost-
effective way of recruiting and
developing employees and the NAS
can help to advise employers on
support available to contribute to
the costs of apprenticeship training
in full or in part depending upon
the age of the apprentice.
Mrs Woodward said: “The value
of, and return on investment of
undertaking an apprenticeship for
both young people and adults alike,
are substantial.
“Research undertaken on the
benefits of an apprenticeship
reinforces the critical importance
that they play in enabling
businesses to invest in their
workforce and gain the significant
returns on that investment
through increased productivity,
reduced costs and improved
customer loyalty and staff
retention.
“Apprenticeships truly are good FUTURE: The National Apprenticeship Service says it is vital to create
for business.” real job opportunities by training people who are currently out of work.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
It’s vital to have
skilled workers
Y
OUNG people and
businesses ready to make
the most of
apprenticeship
opportunities need look
no further than Worcestershire.
The county is aiming for a 22 per
cent increase in the number of
young people entering the
apprenticeships programme by
2012-13.
Worcestershire County Council is
playing a key role by working with
partners to increase the
availability of apprenticeships,
raising their profile and even
holding a special event to really get
the ball rolling.
The principles of apprenticeships
perfectly complement the council’s
overall goal of helping
Worcestershire to be ‘open for
business’. Skilled employees are
vital to the local economy. The
council’s vision for apprenticeships
is that they will raise the
aspirations of the county’s young
people, its communities and its
workforce.
Worcestershire County Council is
FOR THE LATEST NEWS AND UPDATES ABOUT THE 100 IN 100 APPRENTICESHIPS CAMPAIGN GO TO WORCESTER NEWS.CO.UK/100
100 APPRENTICESHIPS IN 100 DAYS
working with some of its major
suppliers and contractors such as
Ringway to encourage them to
recruit more apprentices. The
efforts are also being made to
harness the council’s and its
partners’ purchasing power as part
of the future procurement policy to
address jobs and skills issues in
Worcestershire.
Last year, the Government
announced an increase in adult
apprenticeships’ funding of up to
£250 million by 2014-15. It expects
there to be 218,000 16-18 year olds in
apprenticeships in the current
year, including more than 131,000
new starts. This is continuing to
grow at national level,
demonstrating that employers
value apprenticeships and the
benefits they bring to businesses.
Worcestershire has also seen an
increase in the number of local
people starting apprenticeships.
In 2009-10, 1,764 young people
aged 16 to 18 were recruited as
apprentices and the numbers rose
by a further 11 per cent in 2010/11.
The county council’s ambition is to
worcesternews.co.uk 7
increase this by another 22 per cent
by 2012-13.
Worcestershire County Council is
working with its partners to
develop a Worcestershire
Apprenticeship Strategy. The
principles are expected to be:
e Extending the reach of
apprenticeships to those on the
margins of learning and work
e Establishing apprenticeships as
a popular and highly regarding
learning pathway
e Increasing the range of
apprenticeships available in the
county, with a specific focus upon
the main employment sectors. PLANNING FOR SUCCESSFUL FUTURE : Worcestershire County Council
By all working together the is working hard to increase the number of apprenticeships in the region.
county will be better-placed to
deliver real opportunities for local The aim is to encourage school about the options open to young
people and businesses. leavers to consider the many people.
A showcase event called The Real thousands of apprenticeship places The Real Apprentice is being
Apprentice is to take place at available to them as part of the organised in partnership with the
Worcestershire County Council’s council's drive to get more young Herefordshire, Worcestershire &
headquarters on Tuesday, May 17. people into employment with Shropshire Training Provider
Young people who could benefit training. Association and the Black County
from an apprenticeship in the next At the event expert training Training Group.
few years have been invited to find providers, employers, colleges and For more information about
out more about the opportunities, successful apprentices will be on apprenticeship opportunities, visit
along with their parents or carers. to provide advice and information apprenticeships.org.uk.
8 worcesternews.co.uk 100 APPRENTICESHIPS IN 100 DAYS Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Campaign aims to
provide more jobs
T
HE concept of the 100 in
100 campaign is simple –
to generate 100
apprenticeship
placements in
Worcestershire businesses within
100 days.
The National Apprenticeship
Service is working in partnership
with your Worcester News and key
organisations, such as Skills for
Security, Worcestershire County
Council and the Herefordshire &
Worcestershire Chamber of
Commerce, to provide more jobs
for apprentices.
Together they hope to encourage
employers, learning providers and
partners to influence the business
community to increase the number
of apprenticeship vacancies and to
to raise the profile of what is
available to people who want to
becaome an apprentice. .
The 100 in 100 campaign benefits
the business community and young
people providing positive messages
to the community and benefiting
the local economy by:
e Giving school leavers their first
step on to the jobs ladder.
e Supporting young people into
education and a life-long career.
e Providing tools for businesses to
grow their workforce and increase
productivity.
Karen Woodward, regional
director for the NAS, said:
“Apprenticeships bring
considerable value to employers,
individuals and the economy as a
whole. In an increasingly
competitive world no business can
afford not to invest in training and
apprenticeships are one of the best
and most cost effective ways for
employers to grow their own
talent.
“That is why we are driving the
100 in 100 campaign, working
alongside partners to ensure that
more organisations across all
sectors and industries can have the
opportunity to enjoy the business
benefits that employing
apprentices can bring.”
Tomorrow, Frances Roberts,
Worcestershire employer services
manager for the National
Apprenticeship Service, will be the
guest speaker at a breakfast
meeting that is being organised by
Herefordshire & Worcestershire
Chamber of Commerce.
She passionately believes that
when apprentices are recruited
correctly – meeting the particular
needs of a business, enabling that
business to grow and mould its
workforce – then they are a huge
asset.
BACKING CAMPAIGN: Andrea Borwell-Fox of Malvern-based IT company
Mrs Roberts will be talking about
with apprentices Patrick Graham and Bradley Smith. Story page 26.
the 100 in 100 campaign, how
Worcestershire’s is unique to the
others taking place in the Midlands
and its objective of engaging with
100 new employers within 100 days.
The breakfast meeting is being
held at the Abbey Hotel, Abbey
Road, Malvern.
Anyone who wooul like to go
along, or would like more
information, should contact the
chamber of commerce on 0845
6411520.
To find out more about the 100 in
100 campaign contact the National
Apprenticeship Service on 08000
150600 or go to
worcesternews.co.uk/100. SMILE: Apprentices, employers and trainers in Worcester. Story page 26.

Like Ben, it could be

all systems go for you
S
KILLS for Security,
based in Barbourne
Road, Worcester, is the
skills organisation for
the private security
industry.
It has run a successful
apprenticeship scheme for the
electronic security and fire
systems industry for a number
of years and consistently
delivers high achievement rates
at both level two (now
intermediate) and the level
three (advanced)
apprenticeship.
One of the many success
stories is Ben Mitchell, now
aged 28 and running his own
security systems installation
company in Hereford.
He also works as an assessor
for the scheme and is currently
completing his City & Guilds
7303 teaching qualification.
This will enable him to pass on
his skills and knowledge to the
next generation of apprentices.
Mr Mitchell said: “At 18 I had
no idea what I wanted to do for
a living.
“I knew that I had a strong
interest in electronics and
engineering but also wanted to
get out into the big wide world
and work.
“I joined a local security
company as an apprentice
engineer and was soon offered a
place on the Skills for Security
scheme. It allowed me to learn
the theory at college but work
with other engineers onsite and
get paid at the same time.
“I found my apprenticeship to
be hugely rewarding and, with a
strong determination to succeed,
I worked my way to become a
valued and experienced
engineer. I completed my NVQ
level three within three years
and in just a short space of time
started earning more and
taking on more responsibility.
“I have now enjoyed 10 years
working in the security
industry and because I am a
qualified engineer there is
certainly no shortage of options
SUCCESS:
10 years ago
Ben Mitchell
became an
apprentice
engineer and
he now has
his own
security
systems
intsallation
company in
Hereford.
available. I continue to develop
and learn new skills, and have
no doubt that my
apprenticeship gave me the
solid base I needed to build my
career and drive my ambitions.”
David Greer, Skills for
Security’s chief executive, said:
“We are working with the
National Apprenticeship
Service to help young people
find worthwhile careers in the
security industry.
“We need employers from
both the systems and security
guarding sectors to sign up new
apprentices today and help to
develop the Ben Mitchells of
tomorrow.”

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Wednesday, May 11, 2011 100 APPRENTICESHIPS IN 100 DAYS worcesternews.co.uk 9

Charlotte has a successful

career thanks to training
A
PPRENTICESHIPS
really do make a
difference to your
business. This has
certainly been the case
for Charlotte Spreadbury who is
employed at the Stourport Manor
Hotel, Stourport-on-Severn, where
she completed her apprenticeship.
Before, Miss Spreadbury had
worked in various retail outlets,
and like many people of her age
was unsure of the career path she
wanted to follow.
Having heard that information
about apprenticeships and
vacancies were available on the
National Apprenticeship Service
website, she began to find out more
about what was involved and even
applied for positions in which she
was interetsed.
One of the vacancies was for a
receptionist at the Stourport
Manor Hotel and it was advertised
in partnership with HIT Training.
Miss Spreadbury was contacted
by HIT to discuss the position
before being invited for an
interview.
After impressing in interviews
with both the hotel and HIT
Training, she was delighted to be
offered a position on the
apprenticeship programme.
One year later and Miss
Spreadbury has excelled and
recently achieving her level two
apprenticeship in front of house
reception.
She said: ‘The apprenticeship has
been a brilliant opportunity. I have
Like all of the vocational training
offered by HIT, Miss Spreadbury’s
apprenticeship was carried out in
the workplace with expert help and
support provided by her assessor.
She said: “Jo, my assessor, has
been a really great help during the
apprenticeship. She has supported
and encouraged me throughout.
“I am looking forward to working
with Jo and HIT Training in the
future when I start my level three
BEGINNING OF A
customer service apprenticeship.”
SUCCESSFUL CAREER,
Patrick Jones, general manager
Charlotte Spreadbury,
at Stourport Manor Hotel, said:
left, with Patrick Jones,
“The training and development
manager of the
Charlotte has completed is a real
Stourport Manor Hotel,
benefit to the team with the results
Stourport-on-Severn.
there to see in the skills and
Charlotte recently
knowledge she uses every day.
achieved her level two
“HIT Training has been fantastic
apprenticeship in front
throughout the apprenticeship,
of house reception with
assisting us to get the right
the help of HIT Training.
apprentice for the hotel and
learnt so many new skills relevant supporting Charlotte all the way
to my job. The training has really through to the achievement of the
helped me be more aware of my apprenticeship.
role in the team and as my “Our working together really has
confidence has grown I’ve been been a positive experience for all
given more responsibility.” parties.”

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10 worcesternews.co.uk 100 APPRENTICESHIPS IN 100 DAYS Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Big benefits
SKILLS: Apprentices, employers
and trainers at AMS, Redditch.
Back row, from left, Earl
Hibbert, USP; David Hoey,
HR director of Oakland
International and Chris Welch,

in taking on
WCT. Front row, from left,
Michelle Griffin, MG Academy;
Aamir Kayani, Worcestershire
County Council; Karmen
Ledgister, NEW College; Sue
Walton, HR manager, Oakland

apprentices
International; Chloe Pinches,
NEW College apprentice; Fran
Roberts, NAS; Jake Bilston,
AMS apprentice; Jim Clark,
managing director AMS and
Charlotte Morrey and Liam
Robinson, both apprentices
at AMS.

M
ANY companies
throughout
Worcestershire know
the value of taking on
an apprentice.Browns,
one of Worcester’s best-known
restaurants, has pledged to offer
five apprenticeship placements as
part the 100 in 100 campaign.
Based in Quay Street, the
restaurant is currently undergoing
a major refurbishment and it plans
to take on the five apprentices
when it reopens this month.
The apprenticeships it is offering
include chefs and front of house
opportunities which have been
advertised through the National
Apprenticeships Service
Recruitment website.
Browns Restaurant has been
supported throughout its
recruitment process by HIT –
Hospitality Industry Training – a
national training provider
specialising in the hospitality and
catering industry.
It will be delivering the training
and assessment for the apprentices
once they have been recruited.
Jane Denby, business and sales
manager at Browns, has been
really happy with the relationship
between the restaurant and HIT.
She said: “This is a symbiotic
relationship between our two
companies offering a quality
service through the hospitality
industry to maximise training
standards and product offering in
Worcestershire.”
Phillip Kelly, HIT trainer and
assessor, said: “We have been
working with Browns for a number
of years. It is committed to training
and developing the skills within
the kitchen, working with exciting
and challenging menus and is
passionate about developing local
people’s skills within their exciting
and expanding ventures.”
Since 1962, when Worcester
pioneered domestic oil-fired
boilers, Bosch Thermotechnology’s
commitment to excellence hasn’t
changed.
hat commitment has only
strengthened since the company
became part of the Bosch Group –
one of the world’s leading names in
high-end technology.
Today, the company employs
more than 2,000 people at its
headquarters and manufacturing
plants in Worcester and Clay
Cross, Derbyshire. Bosch believes
that apprentices provide the
company with committed and
technically competent associates
with the focus and determination
to deliver world class service.
Meanwhile Ringway, based at
Sixways, Worcester, is part of
Eurovi – Europe’s leader in
highway infrastructure.
Its apprenticeship scheme is
essential to the future of the
company by providing a platform
to harness fresh talent and produce
highly qualified individuals who
continually develop and learn new
skills while mastering the complex
operations of Ringway’s contracts.
In Malvern, Borwell is an
innovative IT company providing
leading edge consultancy, web
sites, web apps, iPhone apps,
custom software, database
solutions and packaged software
solutions.
Based at Malvern Hills Science
Park, it currently employs four IT
graduates and two IT apprentices.
The team is very creative and
capable, helping businesses
automate their processes and
workflow.
Bradley Smith and Patrick
Graham joined the expanding
software company in September
2010 and attend Worcester College
of Technology to continue their
training.
Director Andrea Borwell-Fox,
said: “We advertised a vacancy for
one IT apprentice last summer. We
were really impressed with the
number and quality of applicants.
Bradley and Patrick interviewed
exceptionally well and we couldn’t
decide between them as their skills
and experience were very similar,
so we hired them both.
“They are already working
TURN TO PAGE 14

We’re so committed,
Jack’s our apprentice
N
EW College is
Worcestershire’s
only Beacon
College, with a
dedicated business
development unit (unique skills
people) based at the Higher
Education and Business Centre,
Osprey House, Redditch.
The committed team works
closely with a wide range of
businesses across
Worcestershire, Herefordshire,
Shropshire, Warwickshire and
South Birmingham.
The college’s Centre of
Excellence for Motor Vehicle
Engineering continues to
demonstrate the value of
apprenticeships by not only
training many of the region’s
apprentices but also employing
an apprentice themselves.
Seventeen year-old Jack Deavs BENEFITS: NEW College offers many opportunities to youngsters.
is the most recent youngster to
secure an apprenticeship that already feels the apprenticeship is a good listener and is asking
will see him work and train at has exceeded his expectations. the right questions, so I am
the prestigious Harley-Davidson He said: “It’s great. The certain that he will not only
University which is based at technology available is amazing excel as an apprentice but as an
NEW College. and my ambition is to one day ambassador for both Harley-
Having already completed a achieve master technician Davidson and NEW College.’
year as a full-time student Jack status which is the top Automotive technology is just
is keen to follow in the footsteps qualification available from one of the areas where NEW
of some of NEW College’s other Harley-Davidson.” College seeks to match talented
alumni, who have made the Dave White, a tutor at the young students with exciting
successful transition from Harley-Davidson University, and rewarding employment
student, to apprentice and on to said: “Jack is a typical young opportunities with a team of
full-time employment. man. He cannot believe his luck staff constantly talking to
Although Jack has only and despite being a little employers about the benefits of
recently started his new job he overwhelmed to begin with he apprenticeships.

FOR THE LATEST NEWS AND UPDATES ABOUT THE 100 IN 100 APPRENTICESHIPS CAMPAIGN GO TO WORCESTER NEWS.CO.UK/100
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Skills are
the key to
our future
E
QUIPPING today’s
workforce with the skills
needed to meet the
demands of tomorrow is
one of the most important
factors in ensuring an
organisation’s future success.
Sanctuary Group, one of the
country’s leading housing and care
providers, understands this only
too well. The organisation owns
and manages more than 78,000
homes and units of accommodation
across the UK and gearing up for
its projected future is a key
business objective.
The secret to Sanctuary’s success
lies in its commitment to nurturing
the potential of existing and
potential employees. With more
than 7,000 staff in a variety of roles
– more than 500 located in the
company’s Worcester offices –
FOR THE LATEST NEWS AND UPDATES ABOUT THE 100 IN 100 APPRENTICESHIPS CAMPAIGN GO TO WORCESTER NEWS.CO.UK/100
100 APPRENTICESHIPS IN 100 DAYS
Sanctuary has grown to become a
significant national and local
employer. It is committed to
creating employment and training
opportunities within the
communities it serves. For
example, the group has its own
accredited NVQ centres and a
successful apprenticeship scheme,
which was recognised when it won
the Apprentice Employer Award
from the Worcester Group Training
Association.
Established in 2007, Sanctuary’s
apprenticeship scheme offers
young people the chance to study
for practical qualifications while
gaining a strong grounding in a
particular aspect of the business.
Programmes are up and running in
several areas, including finance,
IT, business administration, health
and social care, housing,
JOBS: Sanctuary apprentices from the group’s maintenance operations programme undergoing college training.
maintenance operations and
horticulture.
To date, Sanctuary employs 85
apprentices across the country, 48
directly and 37 indirectly through
partnership arrangements with the
group’s development contractors.
David Bennett, Sanctuary Group
chief executive, said:
“Apprenticeships are of a real
benefit to the organisation as it
equips us with the skill sets and
expertise we need for future
developments. But apprenticeships
are also good for individuals as
they allow people to earn while
they learn and provide a
meaningful career path with
genuine prospects.”
Sanctuary has many apprentices
who have gone on to secure
permanent full-time positions.
Jay Lawson-Pearce, a former
apprentice at its office in
Worcester, became interested in
apprenticeships when looking for
opportunities that combined part-
time study with paid work
worcesternews.co.uk 11
experience. His apprenticeship in
Sanctuary’s human resources team
has led him to gain NVQ level two
qualifications in business and
administration and customer
service and go on to secure a
permanent role as HR assistant.
Mr Lawson-Pearce said: “I
started my apprenticeship later
than some but, having already
completed another full-time course,
I felt more mature and able to
commit to something I knew I
wanted to do.”
12 worcesternews.co.uk 100 APPRENTICESHIPS IN 100 DAYS Wednesday, May 11, 2011

There’s an apprenticeship for

whatever your chosen career

SUPPORT: Third left, Stephen Bagley, with apprentices Joel Carrington and
Elliott Thresh and Darren O’Connell of training firm ATL. Story on page 30.

FROM LEFT: Lara Wiliams, Worcestershire County Council; Rod Rhodes,

Property & Care Partnership; Alan White, Malvern Hills Science Park; Sam
SUCCESS: Alice Russell, right, has been taken on as an apprentice at Browns Restaurant in Worcester. Pictured Love, Property & Care Partnership apprentice; Chris Welch, Worcester
with her are Jane Denby of Browns, and Phil Kelly, trainer and assessor at HIT Training. Story on page 26. College of Technology and Fran Roberts, National Apprenticeship Service.

ADVICE: Above and right, the National Apprenticeships Service helps

people of any age to become an apprentice in their chosen career. HAPPY: Harry Brindley is training to be a plasterer.

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Wednesday, May 11, 2011 100 APPRENTICESHIPS IN 100 DAYS worcesternews.co.uk 13

Group committed
to training people
Company
The Community Housing Group
Business type

T
Registered social landlord, care services provider and
building/grounds maintenance contractors.
HE Community
Established Housing Group (TCHG),
one of the largest
providers of social
2000 housing, care,
community, building
Chief executive maintenance and grounds
services in the Wyre Forest, has
Raymond Brookes joined the 100 apprentices in 100
days campaign and has added a
Telephone further three apprenticeships EXPERIENCE:
opportunities within its Apprentices with
01562 733000 plumbing and horticultural Kidderminster’s
teams. Community Housing
Website The group is fully committed to Group have
apprenticeships and since it was opportunities to
communityhg.com established in 2000 has provided on-site learning.
35 placements for young people Apprentice plumber
within its subsidiary companies Lucy Nelson, right,
E-mail – CHG Property Services, with a satisfied
Oakleaf Grounds Services and customer.
information@communityhg.com Bespoke Jonery Services.
Future plans include obtain permanent employment Services, said: “We understand training programmes for TCHG
Location placements within its support within the group after their how difficult it is in this current tenants and the wider
services teams including finance, apprenticeship has ended. economic climate for people to community in a range of subjects
The Community Housing Group, administration and computing. Apprentice training and find work or gain the necessary aimed at improving skills to
TCHG is particularly proud of development is provided for the skills to compete in the jobs support people into work.
3 Foley Grove, the high number of its company by group member, market. Vestia promotes “We believe apprenticeships
Foley Business Park, Kidderminster, apprentices who achieve Vestia Community Trust. apprenticeship schemes as a way are a positive investment for our
Worcestershire DY11 7PT nationally recognised Marina Banner, executive of bringing local people into the company and an opportunity to
qualifications and successfully director of Vestia and Corporate workplace. It also provides support the local economy.”

FOR THE LATEST NEWS AND UPDATES ABOUT THE 100 IN 100 APPRENTICESHIPS CAMPAIGN GO TO WORCESTER NEWS.CO.UK/100
14 worcesternews.co.uk 100 APPRENTICESHIPS IN 100 DAYS Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Companies’
full support
for campaign LINE UP: Training organisation representatives, employers and apprentices in the Kidderminster area.

FROM PAGE 10
incredibly hard and directly
contributing to customer projects.
As an alternative to traditional
graduate recruitment, I would
advise any business considering
taking on staff to look at the
national apprenticeship scheme.”
With the help of the two young
apprentices, Borwell plans to
develop its business to utilise the
latest social media trends and to
write software for smart phones.
Dytchena, based at Malvern Hills
Science Park in Malvern, says that
its apprenticeship programme
enjoys enthusiastic support at all
levels, from the chairman, down to
the technicians, engineers and
supervisors who actively
encourage and develop the
apprentices in the workplace on a
daily basis.
With more than 21 years
experience servicing both
Worcestershire and national
clients the Water Works in
Kidderminster offers a full and
comprehensive range of services to
its new and existing repeating
customer base.
Owner Steve Bagley said: “I am
very passionate about the
apprenticeship programme.
Without apprentices being trained
it would seriously affect the profit
of my business.
“It’s important to pass along your
knowledge to apprentices to ensure
that plumbing works are carried
out to a high standard.
“Apprenticeships are the future
for our trade and by investing in
our young people to ensure that we
have tradespeople who are the the
future for our country.”
Marina Banner, executive
director Vestia and Corporate
Services – part of Kidderminster-
based the Community Housing
Group – said: “We promote
apprenticeship programmes as a
way of bringing local people into
the workplace.
“We believe apprenticeships are a
positive investment for our
company and an opportunity to
support the local economy.”
Oakland International at Beoley,
near Redditch, recognises that the
effective training of its workforce
can greatly improve the company’s
flexibility, success and business
growth
It is looking at including NVQ’s
and national apprenticeships as
part of its strategic people plan over
the next three to five years. Already
various core subjects have been
identified including warehouse and
storage, team leading, customer
services and IT.
North East Worcestershire
College has seen the business
benefits brought by apprentices in
the work place first hand by
employing apprentices itself.
The college regularly matched
employers to apprentices through
the work of the Unique Skills
People as a training provider but
more recently has taken on it’s own
apprentices as part of both its busi-
ness support teams and automotive
training department.
Jeff Caseley, marketing manager
at NEW College said: “Chloe
Pinches is the apprentice in
marketing. She came to us with a
real can do attitude. There is
nothing that phases Chloe, she
simply takes it all in her stride,
completing everything she does to
the highest professional standard
regardless of whether it’s a
complex or mundane task.
“Despite Chloe’s young age, her
professionalism and attitude are
fantastic. Like all the apprentices
we have employed she
demonstrates that where young
talent is given the opportunity to
shine it often proves that youth
need be no barrier.”
One of the first areas at NEW
college to take on an apprentice
was the automotive angineering
deptartment.
There, in the unique Harley-
Davidson Training School,
students who prove themselves to
be particularly skilled are given
the opportunity to progress as a
college employed apprentice
technician.

Apprentices are vital

Company SECURE
CAREERS:
Worcester
Business Skills Bosch
apprentices
Business type at Business
Skills.

B
Training, apprenticeships and employability
USINESS Skills,
Established the employer
training arm of
2007 Stourbridge
College, has
trained more than 600
Director advanced apprentices and
apprentices delivering
Kim Babb across a wide range of
sectors.
Telephone These include plumbing,
gas, electrical
0800 0730282 installation, carpentry
and joinery, trowel
Website occupations, motor
vehicle, childcare, retail
bskills.org and customer service,
business administration
E-mail and IT. A number of
additional courses from
business improvement
enquiries@bskills.org techniques to health and
social care are on offer.
Location Apprentices have been
trained for companies
Aykroyd House, such as Mansells,
Hoo Road, Debenhams, JTL,
Kidderminster, Rymans, Fitness First, the
Village Hotels, Carillion,
Worcestershire DY10 1NB Worcester Bosch and
Calor Gas.
Kim Babb, director at
Business Skills
Stourbridge, said:
“Apprenticeships are vital
to any business
committed to ensuring
that they invest in their
future workforce.
Training people of all
ages, while they continue
to learn in a practical
environment, offers
businesses and employees
a good foundation for
growth. The route to
economic recovery and
growth is through
continued investment in
training – for employees
of all ages.”
Stourbridge College’s
Energy Training Centre
recently won a contract to
train apprentices from all
over the country on
behalf of Worcester Bosch
Group. All fired up for a
career in the gas industry,
the 15 apprentices are
now studying level three
gas maintenance.

FOR THE LATEST NEWS AND UPDATES ABOUT THE 100 IN 100 APPRENTICESHIPS CAMPAIGN GO TO WORCESTER NEWS.CO.UK/100
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
We have a
great rate
of success
A
S the country gradually
comes out of recession,
there has never been a
better time to equip
your organisation with
the skills of the future by
employing an apprentice.
Worcestershire Group Training
Association (WGTA) – together
with Herefordshire Group Training
Association – is the largest locally-
based provider of apprenticeships
in the two counties.
It provides training for workplace
qualifications in the specific areas
of engineering (mechanical,
electrical, fabrication and welding)
and business and administration
(including customer service,
accountancy and warehousing).
All apprentices attend WGTA’s
superbly equipped training centre
in Sunnyside Road, Worcester
and/or a local college to ensure
FOR THE LATEST NEWS AND UPDATES ABOUT THE 100 IN 100 APPRENTICESHIPS CAMPAIGN GO TO WORCESTER NEWS.CO.UK/100
100 APPRENTICESHIPS IN 100 DAYS
that nationally recognised
qualifications are achieved.
Typically, WGTA works with
employers who are:
e Concerned that they do not have
the internal resources in place to
develop their staff.
e Anxious that financial
constraints will stop them
planning for their future skills
needs.
e Frustrated with training
providers who do not meet their
requirements.
Worcestershire Group Training
Association works with companies
from the manufacturing,
processing, finance, legal and
service sectors, together with
utilities and councils, ranging from
small family businesses to major
employers who are part of
international groups.
What makes WGTA special? It is
governed by local companies who
decide how they want their
training organisation to be run for
maximum benefit to their
businesses, employees and the
local community.
Worcestershire Group Training
Association has been guiding
young people through
apprenticeships in the two counties
for more than 40 years and it has a
proven track record of developing
them into talented and
enthusiastic employees – with
success rates well above the
national average.
It promotes career opportunities
through apprenticeships to school
pupils, college students and other
young people and then selects the
talent that local employers are
looking for – those that companies
can rely on to develop the skills
and experience that benefit their
business.
The final decision on recruitment
belongs to the employer but WGTA
works directly with a company and
promises to make taking on an
apprentice a simple process and a
rewarding experience.
Worcestershire Group Training
Association has many satisfied
customers.
Julie Bellerby, human resources
officer at Allen Gears, Pershore,
said: “We see apprenticeships as an
essential part of the business as the
company has long recognised the
crucial importance of recruiting
worcesternews.co.uk 15
EXPERIENCE:
Apprentice group
bench fitting at
Worcestershire
Group Training
Association’s
engineering
training centre.
and developing a skilled workforce.
“A high proportion of our
employees comprise former
company apprentices.”
Julian Powell of Hallmarks
solicitors in Worcester, said: “A big
gain for the employer is that the
apprenticeship programme ensures
a structured training plan at all
times.”
Some of the companies that
Worcestershire Group Training
Association works with are: Allen
Gears, Doncaster Precision
Castings, Dytecna, Joy Mining,
JVM Castings, Malvern
Instruments, NHS Worcestershire,
Sanctuary Group, Spirax Sarco,
Worcester Bosch and Yamazaki
Mazak.
16 worcesternews.co.uk Wednesday, May 11, 2011