VIEW P INT For more than ten years, Aptus has been committed to recruiting and developing apprentices, establishing an Aptus Academy and offering a wider range of programmes than ever before. In this edition, our people director Natasha Clarke discusses how apprenticeships are helping to address skills shortages.
WHY CONSIDER APPRENTICESHIPS I’d encourage all businesses to consider apprenticeships. One of the key advantages is that their skills can be developed according to the needs of your particular business, so even if you’re recruiting into a niche role, training providers may well be able to tailor their programmes to suit your exact requirements. They’re an excellent way to grow talent from within and we’ve found that many have remained extremely loyal, staying with us for a number of years following their training. INTEGRAL TO OUR BUSINESS It’s great to see that the number of companies taking on apprentices is on the increase. For Aptus, they have become integral to our business and are a key part of our recruitment strategy. If you’re considering taking on an apprentice for the first time, my advice would be, go for it!
Figures for the 2023/24 academic year show that apprenticeship starts in England were up 7% compared to the previous year, with under 19s accounting for 32.7%. This is a positive trend and one that is in line with the growth of our own scheme. Over the past decade our apprenticeship programme has grown and grown and now encompasses everything from finance, business administration and multi-utility, to HR and warehousing. ADDRESSING THE SKILLS GAP It’s been widely reported that there is a skills gap in the utilities industry, and apprenticeships can help address this. They are an excellent way to encourage people to gain qualifications and begin careers in industries where we need them most. As an employer, taking on apprentices is hugely rewarding. It’s great to see people embarking on their first steps on the career ladder, with this often coinciding with many other significant life events, such as passing driving tests and gaining further qualifications. BENEFITS TO WIDER TEAM For our other team members, welcoming a new cohort of apprentices is always an exciting time and there’s a real buzz in the office. Day to day, they bring opportunities for others to supervise and mentor, developing their careers, too.
APTUS CONNECTIONS // ISSUE 16 03
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