National Apprenticeship Week (NAW 2016) is co-ordinated by the National Apprenticeship Service and is designed to celebrate apprenticeships and the positive impact they have on individuals, businesses and the wider economy. https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/national-apprenticeship-week-2016
The key themes for National Apprenticeship Week 2016 are: “An apprenticeship can take you anywhere”, with a particular focus on higher skills to show how young people, entrepreneurs and businesses can “rise to the top” through traineeships and apprenticeships.
VR Sani-Co know all to well how apprenticeships are not only good for the individual but also for business.
We recruited an apprentice from Canterbury College, Kent last year http://www.canterburycollege.ac.uk/ we came across the apprenticeship schemes as we look after the college for their washroom services particularly their sanitary bin service. Martin Crowther the Chairman of VR Sani-Co has often lent his time and resources to the college working closely to give back to the community including aiding within education. It was a huge success. Not only does funding help with the cost but time wise it meant VR had an individual with new fresh skills that could learn from us and aid the business with little disruption.
William (VR’s apprentice) aided VR in new approaches to our IT systems helping to secure them and update them. His knowledge was priceless to what it bought to our washroom service business.
Canterbury College were there at all times to offer support throughout the year he was here.
The apprenticeship meant we could tailor his knowledge and skills to specific job roles within the business.
Not only did it give William new skills especially within business he was unlikely to learn within a classroom environment but it meant the business benefited throughout the apprenticeship’s time for very little time or money cost.
As a family run washroom service company based in Herne Bay in Kent it was good to have a fresh approach and ideas from the apprentice and we would highly recommend it. We would certainly look to do it again in future and in fact we are having a young man join us in the summer who will be doing work experience through his school with us.
If you are interested in any of our washroom services or are a fellow business who would like advice on having an apprentice within your business please get in contact we would be happy to help!
