Apprenticeships are an important part of how we grow and develop people at Connexus. Our aim is to shape future leaders and keep talent, with learning and development focused around the individual as they progress through the organisation. During National Apprenticeship Week 2022, Director of People Jo Tracey shares the Connexus approach and celebrates success stories from apprentices past and present.
#BuildtheFuture - Our Apprentices
7th February, 2022
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The theme of this year’s National Apprenticeship Week is ‘Build the Future’; encouraging everyone to consider how apprenticeships can help individuals to develop the skills and knowledge required for a rewarding career.
At Connexus, apprenticeships are an important part of how we attract new talent and develop our people. Whether someone is new to the organisation and just beginning their journey, or already with us and wishing to learn new skills, apprenticeships offer great opportunities for career progression and personal development.
The Connexus Way...
We've been consistently developing and refining our approach to apprenticeships over recent years - linking our programme with succession planning and our overall recruitment and people strategy.
For those new to our business, we offer a tailored approach which matches personality, skills and training to suitable roles and opportunities across departments. Following recruitment challenges brought about by the pandemic, we’ve also been working with our apprentices in areas where we have a skills shortage or difficulty recruiting which is mutually beneficial for both our apprentices and Connexus.
Through the Apprenticeship Levy, we’re able to access training for existing colleagues too. This allows us to provide additional support on top of our internal training offer, developing existing skills which ultimately allow us to serve our customers better. Developing skills, particularly for those in our management teams, is a key part of our succession planning. This is approach I’ve seen work well before, with many apprentices completing their apprenticeships going on to forge incredibly successful careers. Two of the Chief Executives I have previously worked for started their careers as apprentices!
Fair reward for a job well done
As with all colleagues it’s important to us that apprentices are fairly rewarded for their efforts and given recognition for the work they do. That’s why we pay the Real Living Wage from the second year of an apprenticeship. In the first year we pay the National Living Wage rate for those over 23, irrespective of the actual age of the apprentice. We’re really proud of our living wage commitments, and you can read more about it on our dedicated page.
Final thoughts
Apprenticeships are a great way to support entry level talent and further the development of colleagues at every stage of their career. At Connexus we also help those looking for opportunities locally, with many first-time apprentices living in the communities we serve. This is vital in rural locations, where a shortage of suitable jobs can lead to local people leaving the area to find work and live in towns and cities further afield.
We’ll continue to develop our approach to apprenticeships in the future. If you’d like to learn more about apprenticeships at Connexus, head over to our dedicated apprenticeships page.
Jo Tracey, Director of People
Our apprentices - what do they say?
Ahead of National Apprenticeship Week we caught up with some of our apprentices and asked them about their experience or learning on the job and how the programme had helped them to develop. Here’s what they had to say:
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Melissa, Business Admin Apprentice
I’m delighted to be working at Connexus as a Business Administration Apprentice. I feel valued as part of the Governance Team and Connexus as a whole. I am working with a number of colleagues across the organisation as well as my particular role in governance which I truly appreciate. This opportunity will enable me to widen my knowledge, skills and qualification outcome.
I am looking forward to growing my talent and hope to progress within the organisation. I am grateful for the opportunity Connexus has been given and I am excited to see where my apprenticeship takes me in the future.
I feel lucky to have been given the opportunity to become part of the team, and to learn on the job with amazing colleagues that go above and beyond to pass down their knowledge and experience to the next generation looking to build a future within the electrical industry. I’m learning new skills every day and have gained confidence in my ability to produce work to industry standard, under the supervision and guidance of electricians that have been through the same journey that I am currently on.
Connexus as an organisation are enthusiastic to help me build on my portfolio in order for me to qualify as an approved electrician and have provided me with everything I need to carry out my role on the job. I feel the apprenticeship scheme is an amazing way for an organisation to build their own future. Seeing apprentices develop throughout the programme builds trust and confidence in the employee’s ability to eventually be out on the job by themselves, knowing that they have had the appropriate training and experience required to communicate with colleagues and tenants in a courteous manner, and carry out work to a professional standard.
Connexus as an organisation are enthusiastic to help me build on my portfolio in order for me to qualify as an approved electrician and have provided me with everything I need to carry out my role on the job. I feel the apprenticeship scheme is an amazing way for an organisation to build their own future. Seeing apprentices develop throughout the programme builds trust and confidence in the employee’s ability to eventually be out on the job by themselves, knowing that they have had the appropriate training and experience required to communicate with colleagues and tenants in a courteous manner, and carry out work to a professional standard.
Aaron, Electrical Installation Apprentice
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Ciaran, Electrical Improver
I started my apprenticeship in December 2017. I started in the repairs department which I found very helpful to learn some basic knowledge of the trade. After 12 months I was assigned to the contracts team which involved installing systems. This would include house rewires, kitchen/bathroom upgrades and testing. This was a brilliant way to learn all aspects of the trade and get the experience I needed to complete my level 3 qualification. I qualified last year (2021) and have been on the repairs team for the last 3 months as a qualified member of the team. I now pick up emergencies and day to day maintenance.
I had been looking into starting a career in HR for a couple of years and when I saw Connexus had an opportunity to join I jumped at the chance. By doing an apprenticeship I can get on the role experience, alongside completing a qualification providing the best start to my career. As an ‘older’ apprentice, I was a bit nervous about starting and attending college, but I have been given so much support by Connexus and made to feel so welcome and part of the team. I’m able to complete my apprenticeship work within my working hours and have the support and guidance of not only my team, but the wider organisation too.
Hannah, HR Apprentice