Building a workforce for the future through the Apprenticeship Levy
Nottingham Community Housing Association (NCHA) employs some 1,200 individuals in housing and social care across the East Midlands.
Allison Whadcoat, Senior L&D Advisor, describes NCHA’s experience of working with Access as their apprenticeship provider...
Myth busting!
“A key responsibility of my newly-created role as Senior L&D Advisor is to accelerate our work in apprenticeships.
As I started to engage with colleagues, I was able to dispel a number of myths: specifically, that apprenticeships are not limited to school leavers, they don’t need to result in a permanent position and nor do they involve day release every week. It seemed counter intuitive to some that apprenticeships could be more cost effective than evening classes. Continually challenging those perceptions amongst colleagues helps them to understand our future funding pot is best protected by calling on our current Levy allocation for any training.
Since we have a strategic partnership with Access Training, we sought to engage them on taking forward our ambitious training programme.
Rapid recruitment
We knew we wanted to split our Levy monies between colleague training and apprentice recruitment but needed support on implementing that. The area from which we sought to recruit was not well-known to us. Access’ MD Corrina Hembury and Business Relationship Manager Helen Elliott reassured us that Access would come up with a plan on our behalf.
And they certainly did!
Corrina sourced expert advice from Direct Help and Advice at Derby Law Centre and tapped into an extensive network of North Nottinghamshire contacts across libraries and job centres. A 4-week sector-based work academy will follow, covering required skills in personal development, safeguarding, adult social care and customer service. Access have taken on full responsibility for candidate recruitment, screening and selection; all at no cost to us.
Two-week turnaorund
As impressive was how quickly Access were able to offer support on implementing training for existing colleagues. Knowing that we were reaching a critical point on Levy fund expiry, Helen moved mountains to ensure that all selected 16 individuals were signed up, and with trainer and structured plans teed up, in only two and a half weeks.
Access’ subject reach is wide but doesn’t currently extend to IT or accountancy. If it did, we’d happily use them for all our apprenticeships!”
Allison Whadcoat, Senior L&D Advisor, describes NCHA’s experience of working with Access as their apprenticeship provider...
Myth busting!
“A key responsibility of my newly-created role as Senior L&D Advisor is to accelerate our work in apprenticeships.
As I started to engage with colleagues, I was able to dispel a number of myths: specifically, that apprenticeships are not limited to school leavers, they don’t need to result in a permanent position and nor do they involve day release every week. It seemed counter intuitive to some that apprenticeships could be more cost effective than evening classes. Continually challenging those perceptions amongst colleagues helps them to understand our future funding pot is best protected by calling on our current Levy allocation for any training.
Since we have a strategic partnership with Access Training, we sought to engage them on taking forward our ambitious training programme.
Rapid recruitment
We knew we wanted to split our Levy monies between colleague training and apprentice recruitment but needed support on implementing that. The area from which we sought to recruit was not well-known to us. Access’ MD Corrina Hembury and Business Relationship Manager Helen Elliott reassured us that Access would come up with a plan on our behalf.
And they certainly did!
Corrina sourced expert advice from Direct Help and Advice at Derby Law Centre and tapped into an extensive network of North Nottinghamshire contacts across libraries and job centres. A 4-week sector-based work academy will follow, covering required skills in personal development, safeguarding, adult social care and customer service. Access have taken on full responsibility for candidate recruitment, screening and selection; all at no cost to us.
Two-week turnaorund
As impressive was how quickly Access were able to offer support on implementing training for existing colleagues. Knowing that we were reaching a critical point on Levy fund expiry, Helen moved mountains to ensure that all selected 16 individuals were signed up, and with trainer and structured plans teed up, in only two and a half weeks.
Access’ subject reach is wide but doesn’t currently extend to IT or accountancy. If it did, we’d happily use them for all our apprenticeships!”
“Whilst other providers are unquestionably professional, the relationship doesn’t compare to the one we enjoy with Access. Closer working on our particular challenges, more regular communication and a sounding board when we need it.
What more could you ask of a service provider?”
What more could you ask of a service provider?”
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