Managing Apprentices

Managing Apprentices - the real story

Who better to hear how apprentices really work than from the managers themselves? Here, a selection of managers from 3 different boroughs with 3 different Apprenticeship Schemes tell us about their experiences.

Ray Chitty, Head of Exchequer Services, LB Sutton

I currently manage 3 apprentices studying Level 2 Business Administration. One is an Insurance Officer and two are Income Officers. They are some of the best recruits I’ve had. The idea of apprentices always appealed to me but I had reservations about the applicant quality. This was proved unfounded with applicant quality exceeding expectations.  Seeing the apprentices grasp a difficult concept or seeing their confidence grow to deliver 1^st class presentations at big events – there are so many highlights and reasons to be proud of the apprentices. 

I had a vacancy in my team and thought that apprenticeships would be an excellent vehicle to keep the team fresh and energised. The Income Management apprentices have recently started and follow on from the success of the 1^st apprentice.  Having apprentices has affected the whole team and service very positively – we now have an age diverse workforce. Youth brings ideas and energy – age often then brings wisdom and experience to refine and implement.

I want to change the incorrect stereotype young people hold about local government.  Given the tough times ahead, there is no organisation more willing to consider new and innovative ways of working – that requires energy, boldness and unlimited thought processes  – traits many young people in abundance.

I’d recommend apprentices to any manager thinking of taking an apprentice on.  Young people that understand the joint learn while you earn benefits of apprentices have exactly the right attitude to work that you as an employer need.  They will work and learn and will soon contribute in ways you will not have foreseen.

Linda Wood, Head of Programme and Project Management, LB Sutton

We have one apprentice in Policy and Communication at the moment. When I heard about apprentices, I thought it sounded like a positive initiative and something I wanted to support.  Our apprentice is studying Business Administration and supports 2 services.  It’s great to get positive feedback from customers on our apprentice which I can pass on to them and give them a confidence boost.  Having the apprentice and the extra support has engendered a more team based approach and helped us to be able to focus on higher level work.  I’d recommend apprenticeships to young people and mangers.  There is a lot of scope to try out skills and develop new ones working in local government.  Manager’s need to ensure they have clear systems in place before the apprentice starts and make sure there is a team induction and a buddy to help them settle in.

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Jan Major, Team Manager, Personalised Services, LB Hillingdon

I was part of the working group to implement the Apprenticeship scheme and interviewed potential Apprentices for Adult Social Care. I was very positive about this work and believed in the need to employ younger people into our Services.  In the initial stages there were many teething problems to deal with, mainly due to introducing the young person to a working environment.  There were many learning curves as this was the first Apprentice scheme to be introduced in London Borough Hillingdon. 

I would encourage all Managers to look at how they can accommodate and employ an Apprentice into their Service. They need to ensure that the Apprentice receives a full induction and training and are treated as any employee would be. I would encourage them to talk to colleagues who have employed Apprentice’s to get some feedback and advice on any positive work and issues that have arisen and action plans that are in place to deal with this.

It’s a great opportunity for young people to get experience and a qualification.

For next year, we have earmarked 5 more vacancies that are to be for Apprentices in Personalised Services for Adults.

Adults with Learning Disabilities Manager,  LB Hillingdon

Our apprentice Bianca works with adults with learning disabilities and is studying Health and Social Care.  Apprenticeships are an excellent way to support young people into the caring profession and it has been a joy to observe Bianca grow and develop as a person into the role of care worker.  Initially, Bianca didn’t really have an idea of the role of the care worker but she has turned herself around and I’m really proud of her.  Bianca is a valued member of the team and will be actively involved in supporting our next apprentice. She is also helping us to review the induction pack for new apprentices.  This is an excellent opportunity for a young person to develop a good foundation in the care profession.

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Steve Hull, Head of Technical Services, LB Ealing

Working with our apprentice Tom Smith has been fantastic - over 12 months we saw him move from an interested and enthusiastic starter to a fully fledged and valued member of a busy property project team, able to understand and complete project activities in a very difficult field of work.    His appetite for challenges and new experiences increases at the same rate as his confidence, and his understanding of business techniques, task management, and how to work with a diverse range of skill sets and levels of seniority with maintenance contractors, property professionals and Ealing managers and staff.

He has never disappointed us and has often surprised us - he enjoys mature business banter with the team and has made the transition from student to adult with very little pain for us or we hope him!   Only recently Tom carried out a complex and laborious analysis of a suppliers account over in response to a claim for nearly £250K.  This was not something he had previously attempted and the task was completed diligently and quickly with a minimum of supervision.  As a result he has identified numerous inaccuracies in the suppliers claim calculations and potentially saved the Council several thousand pounds.

Bernie Mallaburn, PA to Chief Executive, LB Ealing

Our apprentice is undertaking administrative duties supporting me and our Complaints officer, including logging and distribution of mail, administering the papers for Corporate Board meetings, booking meetings and helping the wider Corporate Board support team on an ad hoc basis. We thought we would give the scheme a try to see if it would be appropriate for our office and offer a young person the chance to gain work experience with us. It was pretty hard at the beginning, when the apprentice has so much to learn and could be overwhelmed by the demands of work and learning at the same time. I’m so proud when my apprentice starts to think for herself and show initiative in dealing with the tasks in hand.  I am very proud of my apprentice overall as she has become a very effective member of my team in just 5 months.  It takes time to train someone from scratch, so at the beginning, there was a big time investment during the teaching stage. We also had to adjust to the apprentice’s general inexperience.  The training days mean that other team members have to pull together frequently to cover the apprentice’s daily tasks.  But this is a good test for team working.  The apprentice has brought energy, and also a sense of fun to the team – there aren’t any negative points.

I’d tell all young people starting apprenticeships to grab this opportunity and make full use of all the learning and experience offered.  Show your commitment, listen to all the advice and guidance coming your way.  Be positive and helpful and make a good lasting impression with all those you come in contact with, which could help you should you apply for a job in the organisation after your apprenticeship.

Managers should know that you will have to be prepared to invest time and patience, especially at the beginning.  Once past the initial stage, it gets very rewarding to watch your apprentice’s confidence and ability grow, knowing that you have helped along the way.

Robert Carter, Strategic Procurement, LB Ealing

Sanjay's Apprenticeship in Business Administration has given him a good grounding in the way business is conducted generally and his role within the Strategic Procurement team has given him the day to day experience needed for his own personal development, something which can't really be taught in a classroom.

The Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) Level 2 training has also helped put into context for Sanjay what the Strategic Procurement team do on a daily basis.

The mix of formal and on the job training has helped Sanjay gain a more rounded understanding of business and the team has gained someone who is both competent and knowledgeable in his role and growing in confidence.

Being fairly cynical of the apprenticeship scheme a couple of years ago, Sanjay has completely restored my faith in apprenticeships and I would definitely recommend the scheme to other managers and departments.