Celebrating National Apprenticeships Week 2019
2019’s National Apprenticeship Week takes place this week and this year’s theme is “Fire It Up”, showcasing the energy of apprentices who’ve chosen to blaze their own trail with an apprenticeship.
Having taken on our first two apprentices in 2016, it’s safe to say that they have blazed a trail for more, as we’ve recruited an apprentice each year since and are looking for two more this year.
There are still some out-dated ideas about apprenticeships; that it’s all just about making cups of tea for “real” staff members or that they can’t lead to “real” qualifications. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Apprentices are valued members of the team at Beaming and are encouraged to deal with customer issues, complete projects and take on responsibilities just like other employees.
Although different tasks and challenges arise each day a typical-ish day for an IT & Telecoms apprentice at Beaming may include:
- Prioritising and responding to customer emails
- Answering customer calls
- Resolving problems such as resetting passwords, fixing database issues or repairing broken laptops
- Configuring hardware
- Socialising over an hour long lunch break
- Improving skills by watching colleagues work
- Going on site at customer locations to see how issues are resolved on-site
- Looking at the core network and learning how it all works
Bradley completed his apprenticeship last year and now works as a Helpdesk Technician at Beaming. He told us that although he felt like a bona fide team member from day one, he wasn’t chucked in at the deep end: “I was supplied with guidance and support from the team for the first couple of weeks until I was comfortable to start being more independent.”
We partner with East Sussex College to deliver training to our Apprentices, who work full -time and are allocated space within their work schedule to complete study, tests and assignments.
Debbie Baldock–Apps, Business Development Accounts Manager at East Sussex College tells us about the benefits of completing an apprenticeship at Beaming:
“East Sussex College work closely with Beaming and have developed an excellent working relationship.
Beaming are supportive, encourage apprenticeship training and work closely to up-skill existing employees and offer professional training for new recruits. On completion there may be an opportunity for a permanent position with the company. This is ideal for individuals to gain confidence, develop and grow with the company. East Sussex College is a Cisco approved centre and this meets the needs of the company.”
Apprenticeships don’t just have a positive outcome for the apprentices themselves, though, as Beaming’s Managing Director, Sonia Blizzard explains:
“We value apprenticeships as a way of bringing curious, enthusiastic people into our organisation who develop into the skilled staff we need as a business.”