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Acorn highlights the value of apprenticeships
With Apprenticeship Week Wales taking place from February 1-5, Acorn, Wales’ leading recruitment and training agency is calling on businesses to not only make use of its valuable work-based training programme to up-skill staff but also look to hire an apprentice when considering future recruitment.
Acorn’s Learning & Development Division provides employers with the direct delivery of vocational foundation schemes and modern apprenticeships, both of which ensure employees learn practical and knowledgeable skills related to their job and the the workplace generally.
Head of Corporate Development for Acorn, Ann Mc Connon, said: “In the current climate, if a company has to make staff cuts it is even more vital to up-skill the staff that remain.
“The advantage of apprenticeships is that they are mainly work-based; integrating training into the day-to-day activities of employees' job roles. So, instead of losing hours to off-site study, managers and employers can actively participate in the training process, while learners gain invaluable skills to apply to their work situation.
“The common perception of apprentices is that they are school-leavers who have just completed their GCSEs. Whilst apprenticeships are popular and should be seriously considered for future staff recruitment in this age group, we are seeing more and more professional adults who either want to expand their skills for job security or to climb the career ladder.”
James Pepper recently completed the NVQ4 Management Training with Acorn and as a result was made a company director.
James, who works at global IT company Vista Retail Support in Cardiff, said: “The things I learned whilst completing Acorn’s apprenticeship scheme put me in the position where I could be considered for a senior management role.
“It taught me to be more analytical, logical and have a scientific approach to what I was doing, and also to focus on what I was trying to achieve.
“The way the NVQ4 management was delivered by the team at Acorn was excellent. I had four different experts mentoring me via Acorn and they really made a huge difference.
“Even before I’d completed the course, one of my colleagues said that they had noticed a big difference in me and the way I worked. I was aware of this myself. Acorn’s training really made a difference. I’d recommend it to anyone.”
Acorn’s apprenticeships are made up of three parts; a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) to ensure the apprentice knows how to do different parts of a job and why those jobs are done; key skills to make sure the jobs are done to the highest standard; and a technical certificate, which tests what the employee has learnt.
As well as IT, Acorn also provides apprenticeship programmes in finance, hospitality, retail and management.
Jeff Williams, a manager at Panasonic’s TV Design Department in Cardiff, completed the management NVQ4 in a bid to further develop his skills.
Jeff said: “The guidance provided both from the course units and the monthly training advisor meeting allowed me to further develop and improve in a number of key areas within my role.
“I was initially hesitant when considering doing this course due to my busy workload but after meeting with Acorn to discuss the details and timeframes I was assured that the course was set around my commitments.
“This apprenticeship and subsequent qualification helped me to gain the confidence to complete a part time Masters Degree which has let to my recent promotion within the Panasonic Management structure.”
In the past 12 months Jeff has arranged for three of his team leaders to undertake the same course with Acorn, all of whom he has said have noticeably improved.
Jeff said: “I have definitely noticed a huge improvement in their performance and skills as a direct result of their current NVQ training.”
Apprenticeships make a real difference and are invaluable to employers that want to invest in their workforce.
Lesley Griffiths, Deputy Minister for Science, Innovation and Skills, said the Welsh Assembly Government’s Economic Renewal Programme is designed to position the economy to be fit for the future and able to compete in high value markets.
“As the economy changes, so do the skills required by industry and developing the right skill base is essential for success, and apprentices offer employers a route to bring modern and diverse skills into the workplace.”
To find out more about the apprenticeship schemes that Acorn offer, please visit www.acornlearning.co.uk
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