National Apprenticeship Week: Blending ages, perspectives, and approaches to work

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This National Apprenticeship Week we spoke to Natasha Clarke, people director at Bolton headquartered multi-utility connection specialists, Aptus who said: "Apprentices have helped upskill the team by bringing new ideas and initiatives alongside having fantastic digital skills.

"This has enabled more experienced colleagues to develop their own skillsets as a result. The practice, known as reverse mentoring, is now a fundamental aspect of training and development at Aptus."

Over the past 13 years the business has recruited more than 70 apprentices on both the construction and administrative sides of the business.

What effect has having an apprentice had on the business and have any stayed on to further employment?

Having apprentices within the business has brought so many benefits to the company. They bring energy, fresh ideas, and creativity which is great for team morale and togetherness. We’ve also seen on countless occasions that young people can find solutions to problems and challenges that more experienced members of the team may not have thought of before.

It is great to have a mix of ages and perspectives within the business for this very reason. We’ve certainly been lucky with the apprentices we’ve had at Aptus, with many going on to secure full-time employment at the company. Some have been with us for over a decade. It’s rewarding to see people progress from apprentices to senior leaders within the business and make a successful career for themselves.

What are the real-time highlights/challenges - is it worth the risk?

It can always be challenging for young people to adapt to the pressures and expectations of working in a business if their only previous experience is learning in a classroom. There are conflicting deadlines to meet, software programmes and processes to learn, and a professional environment can seem daunting. There’s also etiquette to uphold and new people to get to know.

But time and time again we see these young people flourish and adapt to their new surroundings and working conditions. Some adjust quicker than others, but it’s amazing how quickly they become an integral part of the team. Giving the talent of tomorrow a chance is so important as without these opportunities, how are people ever going to progress? I would certainly urge other companies to consider offering apprenticeships.

Millie, who has been an apprentice at Aptus for 12 months is currently studying for a HR Support Level 3 Apprenticeship, she spoke to us about her experience.

When I finished my A-levels, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do next. I decided to take a year out to explore my options. When I saw the HR apprenticeship at Aptus on the government website, I knew it was the right fit for me as I had already developed an interest in HR as a career, and this was the ideal opportunity to gain hands-on experience while learning.

One of the biggest advantages of an apprenticeship is that it prepares you for a career while allowing you to earn and gain experience. It also increases your chances of securing a job at the end, compared to graduating from university and competing with many others for the same roles without prior work experience.

The whole HR team has been amazing to work with. It’s a really close-knit group which is incredibly supportive. Each of us has different strengths and our approaches complement each other which helps us succeed as a team. My apprenticeship has really helped me appreciate the importance of teamwork and to see how collaboration helps deliver the best results.

Leo joined Aptus in 2023 on a Business Administration Apprenticeship through Wigan & Leigh College. He’s currently working towards an NVQ Level 3 Business Administration qualification and told us:

I’m enjoying being given the opportunity to learn my role thoroughly as part of a strong team who are always available to help and support me. My duties at Aptus tie in perfectly with my apprenticeship as I am always dealing with the needs of external stakeholders and learning how they can be met by us.

Do you believe this gives you a better understanding of the 'real' world of work and has it met your expectations?

I chose the apprenticeship route because on-the-job training offers a practical approach which is better suited to my learning requirements. Aptus is well-established within the industry too and the business is constantly offering employees new ways to improve and develop both in and out of the workplace.

This has been brilliant for my progression. It has been a fantastic learning experience so far and given me so many skills that will prepare me for full-time employment.

What experiences have you been able to gain from an apprenticeship?

It has opened up different career options that I didn’t even realise would be possible to achieve due to the variety of topics my business apprenticeship covers, and the number of transferrable skills I develop whilst working towards my qualification.