Topic of interest: Apprenticeships in Telford

Apprenticeships are a vital part of workplace culture, able to secure and train willing individuals, moulding them into prize employees. Likewise, there is an abundance of benefits for apprentices...

Each month, the Telford Business Board will be reviewing and highlighting a topic of interest - exploring both the benefits and obstacles for local people, local businesses, and the wider community as a whole.

TBB represents businesses across the borough, but the current lack in apprenticeship intake is having a drastic impact on skilled and available workers across all industries.

Just last month on A-level results day, LinkedIn and news coverage predominately explored university as the next step in the career path. Why were apprenticeships ignored? Why are they not ndeemed to be an appropriate career path to success?

Do people really know what a modern-day apprenticeship looks like, or are they basing their perception on out-dated schemes consigned to the last century?

The largest further education centre in Telford & Wrekin and Shropshire, Telford College, has links with around 700 businesses – many as a result of its extensive apprenticeship programme. Graham Guest, TBB Board Director, Principal and Chief Executive of Telford College, and former apprentice himself, says: “Apprenticeships are real jobs – a chance to gain valuable qualifications alongside real-world work experience. With an apprenticeship, you’re on a clear career route. There’s a plan in place and a pathway for you to take – and you’ll earn your salary from your very first day on the job.

“But they do still have something of an image problem among people who don’t appreciate just how much they’ve evolved (and are still evolving), and how diverse they have become.”

Earlier this year Telford College launched a new apprenticeship hub, sponsored by the Gatsby Foundation and delivered in partnership with MRM Solutions Limited. Its overarching aim is to bring local employers together to share best practice and discuss the challenges of employing and developing people (and how to overcome them).

One Telford-based business promoting the importance of apprenticeships is civil engineering and building solutions company, McPhillips. Having run an apprenticeship programme since 1995 and seeing over 100 students successfully complete it, they now have a workforce whereby over 20% began as a McPhillips apprentice.

Paul Inions, TBB Board Director and Managing Director of McPhillips said: “Just this month, two individuals completed their apprenticeship schemes and have become full-time employees of McPhillips. Not only does this scheme create solid foundations for their careers, but they both commented on other qualities they’ve gained too, including building their confidence, gaining new friends, and of course, learning an abundance of skills. We're looking forward to welcoming more

apprentices this academic year, and do hope to continue to do so for many years to come”.

It’s clear that apprenticeships are a vital part of workplace culture, able to secure and train willing individuals, moulding them into prize employees. Likewise, there is an abundance of benefits for apprentices.

So, how can we revolutionise the societal views of apprenticeships, and start to display just how

successful they truly are?