A local employer is ‘despairing’ over a government apprenticeship scheme that isn’t delivering apprentices. Preston-based Clayton Recruitment, a national recruitment brand, has sought out six apprentices for its ongoing training and development programme, however the firm has faced major challenges as a result of ineffective communication channels from training providers. The programme, designed by the government, means businesses must recruit apprentices and train them through an external provider, which has left many struggling to source the talent they need.
Managing Director of Clayton Recruitment, Lynn Sedgwick, comments:
“The process has been difficult and highlights how much more work needs to be put into developing effective apprenticeship schemes through training providers, if our experience is anything to go by. We can advertise ourselves but not via the gov.net web site which is the portal that many would be apprentices utilise. This is only available through a training provider – however the training provider we were directed to has been inefficient when it comes to communicating and won’t return calls, which means we’re short of apprentices at a time when we’re really looking to recruit some. We currently need at least five individuals to become fully fledged recruitment consultants through our new two-year training programme however we’ve been prevented from doing so because of the overly bureaucratic system. We need A level graduates and college leavers who have chosen not to go to university and want high potential, market leading opportunities without having to travel to Manchester, but we’re unable to do so, which is highly frustrating.”
“We’re also looking for a business administrator and marketing executive to work in our growing business support team in line with our ongoing expansion, but these positions have almost been put on the back burner because of all the difficulty we’ve been going through recruiting for the consultant apprentice positions. If the government and training providers are serious about getting more youngsters into valuable skilled roles then they need to make some drastic changes to current apprenticeship programmes, because currently, communications channels are simply not up to scratch. We need apprentices to join our team and we need them fast!”
James Cook, a former apprentice and now database manager at Clayton Recruitment also comments:
“I was recruited as an apprentice and since joining Clayton Recruitment, I have had the opportunity to undertake training in a variety of different sectors from recognized industry leaders. Alongside the training I also received fantastic support from the company which has helped me develop my existing skillset whilst acquiring new skills. The apprenticeship scheme provides a really valuable route into the employment world and I’d encourage more people to take the opportunity.”
This isn’t the first bad press that the UK’s apprenticeships scheme has attracted, and as a nation we must do all that we can to exploit (in the nicest possible terms) the un-tapped power of some great young minds.
What have your experiences of apprenticeships been? Why not share your experiences in the comments section below?