Online service recruitment success
Leicester College has signed up its first apprentice via the recently launched Apprenticeship Vacancies Online (AVol), the free-to-use online system that matches prospective apprentices with employers who have job vacancies.
Andrew Wakeham will start the first year of a Level 2 Engineering Apprenticeship at Leicester College, whilst working at ILE in Syston, Leicestershire, a manufacturer of lift systems alongside another new apprentice Josh Parsons.
David Vickery, General Manager at ILE, which employs around 140 people, said: "This is the first time we have taken on apprentices in around 10 years. We have a lot of skilled and talented workers, but unfortunately many are coming up to retirement over the next few years and so we decided to take on some new apprentices to maintain the stability of the company in future years.
"As a relatively small family owned company, we have a few key people who manage everything, and we haven’t got an HR department. The college did all the hard work for us acting as a recruitment agency. They received 50 applications and sent us a small group for interview."
Operated by the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS), the online service is available for anyone who is searching for an Apprenticeship vacancy. Applicants can search for employer vacancies that match their requirements and apply for them.
Engineering lead trainer and assessor at Leicester College, Peter Rogers, said: "Using the Apprenticeship vacancies system is a positive way to identify apprenticeship vacancies and get the learner response. This is one method of matching apprentices with companies and is one which has proven to be successful so far for Leicester College. It is also an efficient way for employers to recruit with support and advice from experienced people to help them along the way."
Leicester College’s Employer Engagement Co-ordinator, Marie Cart, said: "It is a fantastic service we are able to offer employers to engage in developing their workforce and training and for young people who can match their requirements to employer’s vacancies and fulfil their skills requirements."
Karen Woodward, Regional Director of NAS in the East Midlands, said: "Employers can use this free and effective service to choose exactly the right apprentices for their business. By accessing the online service they can promote their vacancies to a wide pool of candidates who are all keen to begin working and learning. What the online service does is make it easy for employers and learners to find each other. We are delighted that ILE, Leicester College and Andrew have been brought together by the online service, and we urge other employers and potential apprentices to use this effective way to access the benefits of apprenticeships."
To find out more about Apprenticeships and to access Apprenticeship Vacancies online (AVol), please go to www.apprenticeships.org.uk
Image above: Apprentices Andrew Wakeham (left) and Josh Parsons. Picture courtesy of the Leicester Mercury