James Burrell Setting the Standard in Apprenticeship Development
James Burrell Builders Merchants have been building an apprenticeship development programme with Business Impact, and are already seeing the foundations of success with four recruits now enrolled on the new scheme.
The builders merchants based in Gateshead, but with a network of depots across the North East set out earlier this year to start developing a new apprenticeship scheme, and initially planned to take on just one young person. However the quality and calibre of candidates supplied through Business Impact and the support and development through an Intermediate Apprenticeship, means that now that number of apprentices has quadrupled in just six months.
The three new starters at James Burrell are Connor Robinson (20), James Stewart (20) and Dan Hawthorn (17). They have been joined on the apprenticeship programme by existing staff member Daniel Fahey (19) who had previously spent time on holiday placements and worked on the trade counter at the Gateshead depot. All four apprentices are following a one year programme as Warehousing Operatives and completing an Intermediate Apprenticeship, but will also get to work in all areas of the business from logistics and sales to operations and customer services. The programme will develop their confidence and help find them suitable final positions in the business, where their personal skill set can be put to best use.
Alyson Graham, HR Manager at James Burrell Builders Merchants commented on the apprenticeship programme; ‘We have a great workforce at James Burrell and many long serving members of staff. We wanted to bring in new employees who could work in all areas of the business from the warehouse logistics and customer services through our trade counters, to working in the back office on administration and operations. The apprenticeship scheme has worked tremendously well, and the three new starters and our existing member of staff who converted onto the apprenticeship programme have all progressed rapidly, and are working extremely well. The advantage of taking apprentices into our business is that they can rotate around the entire business in the early part of their career and we can then assess where they will work best in the long term. Just seeing their confidence grow in the first six months, and the way they deal with customers and support everyone around the business is really positive and demonstrates how this type of apprenticeship scheme, can work well in a business like this.’
Nick Atkinson, National Sales Manager at Business Impact commented: ‘When we were first invited to support James Burrell, it was obvious there was real scope to build a great programme. James Burrell have a great team and we knew they only wanted to see select candidates who would fit into the ethos of the company. We worked hard to find high quality candidates for the position, and the results are obvious, as the programme has expanded rapidly. The day to day management of the apprentices through the in-house Logistics Manager, combined with the development on a structured Intermediate Apprenticeship means they are all setting out on a real career path, with great long term prospects.’
Carl Dutton, Logistics Manager at James Burrell’s depot in Gateshead said: ‘At first I was cautious about recruiting too many apprentices, as we wanted to make sure that each new person fitted in, and could be supported and monitored. The programme through Business Impact, and the great young people we have found to join the business has reassured everyone. Connor, James and Dan have all adapted quickly and are really solid workers. Daniel had already spent some time with us on holiday placements and joined before the scheme started, but moving him across onto the structured programme which includes the qualification, will really help him in the long term.’
Alyson Graham commented on Business Impact; ‘Working with Business Impact has been really straight forward. They are proactive and professional and we have genuinely benefitted through their support. Finding the right young people for a company like ours could be quite a challenge, but the strength and quality of the candidates they provided has been recognised by our increased intake and the speed at which our apprenticeship programme has taken off.’
The success of the programme has led to Business Impact commissioning a short video piece about the company and the individual apprentices, for use at events and online, to showcase the success of apprenticeships and best practice at companies like James Burrell. In the current economic climate and with a large number of young people struggling to find a good opportunity, this apprenticeship programme is testament to how partnership working is developing some really good opportunities for young people.
Mark Carton
0191 5641444
About Business Impact
Business Impact is a national provider of results focused training, competitively delivered nationally across most industry sectors. The business works with companies of all sizes ranging from large multinationals to small local businesses, delivering Apprenticeships (fully funded in many cases), NVQs and commercial training. Whether looking for a 1 day bespoke workshop or want to recruit and train staff as an Apprentice, Business Impact expert trainers and support staff can help in every aspect of this process.
Business Impact prides itself on the delivery of service, experience and flexibility in the training and development market
Service
Business Impact offers a complete one stop solution for the identification, training and development of people within your business. Business Impact works across all levels within an organisation from apprentices to senior management/leadership.
Experience
Business Impact provides a team of highly experienced personnel within the training and development environment, with the added value of offering a commercial perspective on how to best support your business.
Flexibility
The range of services available from apprenticeship recruitment, skills academy development and long term training and development partner, ensures that Business Impact can offer a full national service on any level to support organisations in various sectors.
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