NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP WEEK: 6TH - 12TH FEBRUARY 2023

National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) is an opportunity for the education and skills sector to celebrate the achievements of apprentices around the country and the positive impact they make to communities, businesses, and the wider economy.
At JT Atkinson, we fully support the Apprenticeship scheme and see the benefits every day of training apprentices within our own workforce.

APPRENTICESHIPS AT JT ATKINSON

We aim to have a part of our workforce enrolled on an apprenticeship course year round, and we also recruit external apprentices.

Unless the apprentice has been recruited specifically for that role to fill a skills gap, enrolment normally happens in January, February and March in line with feedback from yearly appraisals which identifies areas for where we can support an individual in their personal development.

We have access to a range of different apprenticeship courses from various providers available to suit individual needs, from Large Goods Vehicle (LGV) Driver (Level 2) to Operations and Departmental Manager (Level 5).

DID YOU KNOW?

• 74% of employers say that apprentices improved products or service quality, while 78% say that they improved productivity.[1]
• 73% of employers say that staff morale is improved by having apprentices.[1]
• 86% of employers said that apprentices helped to develop relevant skills for the organisation which filled a skills gap in the business.[1]
• Apprentices become highly skilled even before they finish their training.[1]
• The higher and degree apprenticeships also allows apprentices to gain university-level qualifications while working, so there really is no limit to how high and how far an apprentice can go.[1]

#ASKANEMPLOYER

We asked some of our Senior Managers and Directors to explain why our apprentices are important to the business, and how we are supporting the in building their careers for the future:

"Our workforce is at the core of our business and we recognise that the continued growth and development of our company can only be achieved through highly trained, well-motivated individuals with an excellent work ethic. Apprenticeships are a great way to recruit and develop great talent at JT Atkinson and we encourage staff to continuously look for new opportunities for their personal development and career progression. We are committed to doing everything we can to prepare our workforce for the future and helping them to achieve their career goals, which is why we offer great career development opportunities through our apprenticeship schemes with leading course providers."
Jamie Atkinson, Managing Director at JT Atkinson & Sons Ltd.

"We understand that our apprentices play a vital part in the future of our business, and we want to support them in every way we can to help them be ready for whatever the future brings. The apprenticeships we offer here at JT Atkinson allow our workforce to increase their knowledge and improve their skills which they can use in the future. Many of our workforce have completed more than one apprenticeship which has fully equipped them for any opportunities which come their way so they can achieve their full potential, especially regarding their career progression."
Paul McGill, Operations Director at JT Atkinson & Sons Ltd.

#ASKANAPPRENTICE

We asked some of our apprentices why they chose to do an apprenticeship with JT Atkinson, what they gained  from their apprenticeship and how their apprenticeship is preparing them for the future in their careers:

"I started my first ever job working as an apprentice at JT Atkinson. Even stretching back to the day of my interview, I felt welcomed by this company. Being 17 years of age and stepping into the world of work is a very daunting process, but I was welcomed with open arms and was made to feel comfortable from day one. My apprenticeship had been massively important for preparing me for my future, as I had learnt so much about how a business works which is vital for me progressing in my career, I feel like every day is a school day and it is so important to learn more and more as I take another step up in my career."
Jack Martin, Customer Service Advisor at JT Atkinson & Sons Ltd.

"Completing my apprenticeship with JT Atkinsons was an exciting learning experience and has been a great way to kick-start my full-time career. It helped me understand the industry in detail as well as business in general, including the many factors that can have an impact on us and how we manage them. With the skills and knowledge I gained, I was fully prepared for my role post-apprenticeship. Even after my apprenticeship, I am still met with endless support from my peers to help me progress my role further to be the best I can, which is why I am glad I chose to complete my apprenticeship and start my career with JT Atkinsons."
Jordan Robinson, Commercial Assistant at JT Atkinson & Sons Ltd.

Many of our staff have seen career progression as a result of their apprenticeship - here are some success stories:

"On leaving school as a 16-year-old, I was never interested in university or further education, but I did want to improve and build a career. So, the apprenticeship was the perfect route as it allowed me to work whilst learning skills required to further my career. I joined JT Atkinson as an apprentice at the Bishop Auckland branch where I completed three level 2 NVQs and eventually worked my way up to be a Branch Manager. Since then I have completed a Level 5 (Foundation Degree) in Leadership and Management with the Chartered Management Institute, which helped to ensure I was equipped for my current role as a Regional Manager. I truly believe in the statement “ attitude trumps ability” and a modern apprenticeship gives the opportunity to gain hands on experience with the added bonus of being able to further your education. One of the main reasons that I've achieved a managerial position is due to the support I have received from JT Atkinson throughout my career and the fact that they recognised my potential and gave me the opportunity to develop."
Neil Gulliver, Regional Sales Manager at JT Atkinson & Sons Ltd.

"I chose to complete a level 3 management diploma after I was promoted to Assistant Manager to get a better insight into management and help me to continue my progression to Branch Manager. The apprenticeship taught me the different management styles, how to delegate tasks effectively, and most importantly it helped me understand the importance of supporting team development.  More recently, I have changed roles and I am now part of the Online Merchandising team within the E-Commerce department where I am continuing my personal and career development using the knowledge and skills from my apprenticeship."
Gareth Williams, Online Merchandising Manager at JT Atkinson & Sons Ltd.

References
[1] https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/800060/Achieving_the_benefits_of_apprenticeships.pdf