National Apprenticeship Week – 11th -15th March
The sixth annual National Apprenticeship Week will take place from 11-15th March. The week is designed to celebrate apprenticeships and the positive impact they have on individuals, businesses and the economy.
The Apprenticeship Team at North Notts College is planning lots of activities throughout the week.
Leah, Russ and Ruth will be in the Bistro at morning breaks and lunchtime – so please come and talk to us about apprenticeships and finding an employer.
It won’t all be ‘serious stuff’ – we will also be running a fun quiz, based on ‘Famous Apprentices’ and there will be lots of prizes!
This invitation is not just for our current learners but for anyone wishing to learn more about apprenticeships or becoming an apprentice, to contact the team call 01909 504562.
The Apprenticeship team will also be visiting classes during the week to raise awareness and promote apprenticeships as an alternative progression route.
For more information on National Apprenticeship Week please visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk/Awards/Apprenticeship-Week-2013/What-is-National-Apprenticeship-Week.aspx
Wilkinson
The business
Wilkinson is a leading high-street retailer of family and home living products, with an emphasis on good value for money. Founded in 1930, it is now in its third generation of family ownership, with 368 stores across the UK and around 24,000 staff.
To keep the business running smoothly, Wilkinson’s distribution centre in Worksop needs employees who are skilled in everything from dispatching and replenishment of stock through to health & safety and product fulfilment. The company also needs staff trained to a first-class standard in areas that include management, customer services, electrical installation, logistics and admin.
Having used North Nottinghamshire College’s business services in the past – including for health & safety training – Wilkinson looked to the college when setting up its Apprenticeship programme. Wilkinson’s Learning & Development Officer Sandra Jackson says: “As our local partner college and one with whom we already had a successful relationship, North Notts was the natural place to go”.
Today, Wilkinson is one of the College’s longest-running and biggest partners in Apprenticeships, with the two organisations working together on them since 1999. The training partnership has won an East Midlands National Training Award.
North Notts College’s services
Wilkinson has an on-site learning centre, accessible 24/7, where North Notts College supplies experienced tutors “around the clock” to deliver workshops and course components and teach key skills. The company has 58 current apprentices and 52 who have completed the programme.
Sandra says the apprenticeship link with North Notts College is helping Wilkinson to develop its people “in a more rounded way”.
“There is an obvious financial advantage to Wilkinson in working with North Notts College on Apprenticeships”, says Sandra. “As the company can train its staff to a high standard without incurring high costs, even when factoring in the employer’s contribution.”
Boosting employees’ skills with an Apprenticeship is good for morale and staff confidence too. Paul Marshall, who has completed two years as a Wilkinson apprentice, says: “I’ve now got the opportunity to do a twelve-month secondment in the promotions department at head office – something I couldn’t have dreamed about doing before”. And fellow apprentice Kallum Cooke says: “I enjoy the fact that through the apprenticeship I am earning personal pride, and respect from others”.
The company’s Operations Manager John Bower says he enjoys seeing Wilkinson’s apprentices advancing in their careers.
“The Apprenticeship journey is a long one but the dividends are clear to see – we now have four previous apprentices who have gone on to take up junior management roles in the company, and we expect that number to grow even further over the next few months.
“This really inspires and motivates the rest of the Apprenticeship team, as well as those who are just starting their journey with us.”
