Regional employer joins the 250,000+ UK workplaces embracing the value of apprentices
As the National Apprenticeship Service leads UK celebrations on apprenticeships and the positive impact they have on individuals, business and the community, Novacroft, the Northampton-based technology and smart card specialist, is marking National Apprenticeship Week (14 – 18 March 2016) with the launch of an apprenticeship programme in partnership with Northampton College.
Novacroft’s commitment to provide seven apprenticeships, shared between existing and newly recruited team members, will see successful apprentices certified with NVQs in Contact Centre Operations, developing their work-based competencies, technical and functional skillsets.
For Novacroft, embracing apprenticeships supports the company’s ongoing growth vision, investment in team talent, and ultimately contributes to economic expansion.
According to government research published in June 2015, apprenticeships can boost productivity to businesses by on average £214 per week and can deliver between £26 and £28 of economic benefits for each pound of government investment.
After finishing, the majority of apprentices (90%) stay in employment, with seven in ten (71%) staying with the same employer.
Jo Phelps, Head of HR at Novacroft, said:
The government has pledged to deliver 3 million apprenticeships by 2020 and, as an employer, we have our part to play in that. Everyone has skills, and, with apprenticeships, everyone can truly develop those skills. And they don’t have to take time out of work to do it. It’s the people that make our business what it is, and we’re launching an apprenticeship drive to give people the tools they need to rise to the top.
Working with Northampton College, Novacroft will begin external recruitment for apprenticeships over the next few weeks and is now talking to to existing team members about apprenticeship opportunities that could assist with their professional development.