Reflections on National Apprenticeship Week 2024
Last week, we had the pleasure of introducing Rob Butler MP to three of our apprentices, Georgia, Jake, and Rory, all studying in different fields, to chat about their experiences and opportunities as part of the National Apprenticeship Week discussion.
As a company with over 12 years of experience running our apprenticeship programme, we were approached to arrange a meeting where Rob could ask questions and learn more about what our schemes are like. The conversation covered various aspects of our apprenticeship initiatives, shedding light on the benefits, challenges, and strategies for improvement as well as allowing Rob to hear first-hand from our current apprentices.
Over the years, our apprenticeship scheme has developed and now consistently supports 16-21 apprentices, on programme, each calendar year. Recruitment is tailored annually to align with business needs, typically commencing in September for operative roles. During our discussion last week, we emphasised the importance of diversity in trade apprenticeships, particularly advocating for increased female participation through active engagement with schools and skills shows. Despite the national challenges, recruitment for trade apprenticeships remains strong.
A testament to our success lies in our retention post-completion, with Rory demonstrating this achievement by seamlessly transitioning into a permanent electrician role within our team after finishing his qualifications.
Our apprentices also had the opportunity to address concerns surrounding the stigma sometimes associated with apprenticeships. It was unanimously agreed that apprenticeships provide a tangible pathway for individuals inclined towards practical and transferable skills, offering immediate job prospects without the financial burden of student loans.
Georgia, Communications Apprentice, added, “It was great to meet Rob and highlight my great experience on the apprenticeship scheme at Fairhive. I feel so passionately about the advantages they can offer to both personal and professional development”.
For those interested in learning more about our apprenticeship opportunities, visit our dedicated apprenticeships page for further information.
