NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP WEEK
CELEBRATING APPRENTICESHIPS
Apprentices will be much in the news during March this year as the annual awareness campaign National Apprenticeship Week takes place . This year ’ s theme is ‘ Apprenticeships Work ’ for individuals , for employers , for the community and for the wider economy . The campaign will run from Monday March 5 to Friday March 9 and there will be a range of events nationally to celebrate what is known as # NAW2018 .
THE IT GUY
For Mark Adams , co-director of The IT Guy , based in New Road , Chippenham , apprenticeships were always part of his business plan to success . Last year , he hired his first apprentice Adam , aged 17 , who lives locally .
Mark said : “ I ’ m a passionate supporter of apprenticeships as a valid and meaningful route to a career . Apprentices get paid while gaining valuable experience which is relevant to their role and to the sector they are interested in as a career .
“ Having a degree or university education is not for everyone and can lead to large debts and coming out with a degree which may not have any relevance to the role that student is employed to do .”
Having an apprentice should not be viewed as hiring a low-cost employee , Mark warns . It requires a lot of time and energy to teach that young person the skills needed for their job and to give them wider professional experiences .
“ When you take on someone who is 17 and this may be their first job of any kind – there ’ s a lot to consider . It ’ s not just the time teaching them about the role you wish them to fulfil . There is far more to it than that . It ’ s also about teaching them the skills to deal with clients , to understand the SME community , the so-called soft skills of helping a client , listening to their needs , telephone manner and so much more .
“ I look at Adam now compared to where he was when he came to us and I can see a huge difference . He ’ s more confident , more self-assured and he ’ s earning money which he is going out and spending in this community .”
For Mark , apprenticeships will be key to developing the correct skill sets needed for Wiltshire businesses to thrive and grow – one of the key requirements for the county which has been recognised across the business and political landscape . Mark is working closely with Wiltshire College around apprenticeships and inspiring young people .
As a result Adam is now part of the The IT Guy team which prides itself on making IT simple and offers packages from as little as £ 9.99 per month per user . Services include IT support , hosted Exchange email , online cloud backup , mailbox security , anti-virus support and hosted VOIP telephony .
Their clients include London based management organisation Investors in People , Age UK headquarters in Solihull ; Wiltshire based John Williams Heating Services and the North London estate agency chain Anthony Pepe .
“ I look at Adam now compared to where he was when he came to us and I can see a huge difference . He ’ s more confident , more self-assured and he ’ s earning money which he is going out and spending in this community .”
For more info : www . iamtheitguy . co . uk
01249 470070 hello @ iamtheitguy . co . uk
Sandstorm proves good apprenticeships and media talent aren ’ t exclusive to London
By Nick Batten
When searching for creative talent , large globally focused creative agencies will normally look to London as their main resource , but for Sandstorm , a Swindon-based media company , its latest apprentice is local Cirencester College student , Frazer Hopkins .
Founded 17 years ago , Sandstorm is a creative agency , a technology business and a production company all in one .
Prior to his apprenticeship , Frazer contacted Sandstorm while still at school and volunteered to work on set to develop his understanding of the production process .
The firm says that Frazer ’ s “ drive and enthusiasm ” was noted so when the time came for him to graduate from Royal Wootton Bassett Academy , the team agreed on an apprenticeship in partnership with Cirencester College and in September 2016 Frazer was welcomed into the team .
Tom Ward , managing director and founder of Sandstorm , said that the main qualities the company looks for are “ sheer enthusiasm and raw talent .” He said : “ If a youngster has these and the willingness to learn , then we can easily teach them the rest .”
During the apprenticeship , Frazer assisted his colleagues at Sandstorm to produce advertising and marketing content campaigns for some of the world ’ s leading brands , creating scripts and concepts , films and photography on tight deadlines . As he approached the end of his apprenticeship , the company decided to offer him a fulltime position as a junior editor .
Tom said : “ We do not think of Frazer as an apprentice who completed a course , but instead someone who adds value to the team and the role in which he operates . This past year supports our belief that a good mix of hard work
and creative flair is really what you need to succeed in our business .”
He explained that while companies and potential apprentices tend to gravitate towards London , Frazer and Sandstorm are collectively a great example that this can be done “ away from the capital .”
Frazer added : “ I ’ ve really enjoyed my apprenticeship at Sandstorm . They ’ ve taught me a lot and always involved me in great projects . I can ’ t wait to officially be part of the team .”
For more info : www . sandstormfilms . com
16 THE BUSINESS EXCHANGE 2018