Why Start an Apprenticeship Scheme?
One of the best things we have done as a company in recent years, is introduce an apprenticeship scheme. One member of our team has recently completed her apprenticeship, going on to start a new role within the company, and we currently have two others at differing stages on the programme.
This initiative has been championed by our HR Generalist and Apprenticeship Lead, Becki Lee. We interviewed Becki to find out more about the scheme and how it has worked for us as a company…
When did we introduce the Apprenticeship scheme at Rapid and why?
We initially thought about introducing an Apprenticeship scheme towards the end of 2018 and our first Business Administration Apprentice joined the Company in January 2019. When researching the scheme, I was impressed by the training that they would receive, how it would benefit their skills and support their development within the company. The scheme has also been beneficial for us due to the wide range of skills and knowledge they have developed across many areas of the business, supporting all departments at Head Office where necessary. It is great to see our Apprentices doing so well!
How many apprentices have we had go through the scheme?
So far, we have had one member of staff complete their Apprenticeship. Upon completion, I was pleased to offer them a position within the HR department, after they showed an interest in developing and working in this area of the business. It has been great to see them develop since they first started and I am glad to have had the opportunity to support them with this. We currently also have two other Apprentices in our Admin team; I look forward to continuing to mentor them during their Apprenticeship.
What’s your role as an Apprenticeship lead?
I work closely with our Apprentices, managing them on a day to day basis, ensuring that they are receiving all of the required training, including allocated ‘off the job’ learning time and supporting them in their job roles. I also liaise with our Training Provider ‘Reach4skills’ to ensure that their learning, both relating to their Apprenticeship and their job role, are on track.
What do you look for in a new apprentice?
When recruiting for a new Apprentice, I look for those that demonstrate dedication, have an excellent work ethic and are committed to Continued Personal Development.
What are the advantages of doing an Apprenticeship with Rapid?
We have seen first-hand the benefits of the Apprenticeship scheme for both the employee and employer. Our Business Administration Apprentices are able to gain a lot of experience from various areas of the business including HR, Sales, Marketing, Accounts, Payroll and Customer Services , helping with their personal development. In return, we have found that our Apprentices are motivated to learn new skills and show a great dedication to their job roles and the Company.
What do you enjoy most about your role as Apprenticeship Lead?
It’s great to see our Apprentices gaining confidence and enjoying the work that they do; it is very rewarding to be a part of their progression.
Left to Right: Becki Lee, Louise Kay, Holly Godwin, Beth Abbott
