Geoff Land reflects on the benefits of youthful enthusiasm
As UK National Apprenticeship Week comes to a close we’re looking back over the six months since our first apprentices we launched Infinity’s new apprenticeship scheme. And we’re feeling pretty smug. What started off feeling like a shot in the dark – bringing two untried, untested youngsters into our tightly knit team – has succeeded beyond our expectations.
Larisa Collier and Marcus Wadge-Dale are already making a great contribution to Infinity’s success and our clients’. As part of our development team Marcus has been immersed in a project to extend the web capability of the Infinity platform. Larisa has joined our client services team and is working directly with clients, developing custom workflows to support their cross-channel customer journeys. A fast learner, she’s already delivered the first two phases of a major programme for a mobile phone provider; one of the largest clients of a major UK outsourcer that’s one of Infinity’s biggest users.
Keeping us on our toes
The folks who run National Apprenticeship Week will tell you that around 9 out of 10 businesses that have taken on apprentices say it’s delivered the business benefits they expected and improved the quality of their product or service. Six months ago I’d have said that was a mighty big claim. Right now, I’m watching it happen before my very eyes. They may be young and untested, but these guys learn fast and deliver quality. What’s more they ask questions that keep us all on our toes. With no pre-conceptions about how business should be done, they’ll happily challenge the sacred cows in our business and inadvertently encourage us to ask ‘so why have we always done it that way?’ We started off thinking they’d be an extra pair of hands. In fact they’re fast becoming agents of change. And that’s great.
We’re already talking to Larisa and Marcus about staying on with Infinity after their 12-month apprenticeship ends. And we’re contemplating bringing on two more apprentices in October 2016. We’re up for the challenge.
If you’ve never taken on an apprentice, here’s three pieces of advice I’d give you…
1. Plan for hard work up front
Be prepared to put the hours in. In the first couple of months you’ll spend a lot of time explaining things. With no formal workplace experience to speak of, a new apprentice needs help to understand everything – from the way you work to the supremacy of your clients. And, remember, they’re making the challenging transition from the world of school to the world of work. They need buddies as well as colleagues to help them do that.
2. Find a great partner
If you haven’t done this before you need a partner that can help you provide structure. Look for a training organisation that specialises in your industry and work with them, not just to frame the formal learning elements of the programme, but to help you make sure that the on-the-job experience complements it. Our provider combines classroom sessions with online learning, so our apprentices are often studying in the office. Don’t get pulled into helping with their homework though!
Think long term
Our apprenticeship scheme lasts one year and results in a formal City and Guilds Apprenticeship Diploma. But if you go into this with a short time horizon you’ll miss out on the benefits. We want Marcus and Larisa to stay with us. They’re home grown talent that, we hope, will go on delivering value for Infinity over years to come.
Celebrating Apprenticeships
So, as UK National Apprenticeships Week comes to a close we’re delighted to introduce Marcus and Larisa – new to the world of work and to the Infinity team!