Nationwide Platforms supports upskilling employees with apprenticeship schemes
Nationwide Platforms supports upskilling employees with apprenticeship schemes
Nationwide Platforms is challenging the perception that apprenticeships are only for school-leavers as part of National Apprenticeship Week, that runs from 6 - 12 February 2023.
Keen to support new and existing employees in progressing their careers, Nationwide Platforms encourages its staff at every level to explore apprenticeship opportunities.
48-year-old Ian Brent, based at Nationwide’s Luton depot is a prime example of an employee taking advantage of the education opportunities available to pivot his career. After leaving school, he went straight into an engineering apprenticeship and 30 years later has recently completed his second apprenticeship, this time a Level 5 Learning & Development Business Partner course awarded by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).
“I‘ve always been a firm advocate of apprenticeships; and am so grateful Nationwide Platforms provided me with the support over the last 15 years to better myself. Thanks to this opportunity I’m now Quality and Technical Training Manager for the 3rd largest powered access company in the world, and am hopeful to progress to head of the department.”
Abby Harker, 30, is also benefitting from the company’s encouragement. After spending her 20s working as a supermarket store manager, Abby saw Nationwide Platforms’ call for apprentices as a way of fulfilling a passion for engineering she had as a child. Having completed a level 1 and 2 diploma in engineering, she is currently progressing with the level 3 NVQ from the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB).
“The apprenticeship means everything to me; I’m so glad I took the jump to pursue something I’ve been thinking of doing since childhood. It’s great that I can to gain practical work experience and build on my academic training whilst having the support of the other engineers within the Durham depot. Having their support has not only helped me in my job, it’s also enabled me to explore other roles including being the depot’s health and safety representative and I’m excited to grow in my career at Nationwide Platforms.”
Rhett Hammond, 17, is kickstarting his career with an ICT apprenticeship at Nationwide Platforms’ Head Office in Lutterworth. Rhett decided to pursue an IT career after discovering his love of problem solving at school, and the role of Apprentice IT Service Desk Analyst at Nationwide Platforms was right up his street. Rhett has found that a 15-month course, run through online college, Baltic Apprenticeships, offers a level of flexibility that is invaluable to balance work and learning.
“This apprenticeship suits how I learn. Spending 80% of my time working in the office has helped the dynamic and the positive atmosphere I have with my colleagues feels natural. This apprenticeship is a great steppingstone into a career in IT.”
Alyssa Thornley, Apprenticeship Coordinator at Nationwide Platforms said, “Apprenticeships here at Nationwide Platforms are a great way to bring in new talent who can be trained in the Nationwide Platforms way, but it’s also a fantastic opportunity for our current employees to develop and learn. We have a lot of opportunities and hopefully in the future we’ll utilise apprenticeships even more than we already do.”
Nationwide Platforms is continually seeking new talent to join its workforce as well as investing in current employees. In the next year they aim to attract more women to their programmes and expand the uptake of apprentices across the board - and are currently recruiting for finance and HR apprentices.
To find out more about the schemes with Nationwide Platforms visit our apprenticeships page.
Keen to support new and existing employees in progressing their careers, Nationwide Platforms encourages its staff at every level to explore apprenticeship opportunities.
48-year-old Ian Brent, based at Nationwide’s Luton depot is a prime example of an employee taking advantage of the education opportunities available to pivot his career. After leaving school, he went straight into an engineering apprenticeship and 30 years later has recently completed his second apprenticeship, this time a Level 5 Learning & Development Business Partner course awarded by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).
“I‘ve always been a firm advocate of apprenticeships; and am so grateful Nationwide Platforms provided me with the support over the last 15 years to better myself. Thanks to this opportunity I’m now Quality and Technical Training Manager for the 3rd largest powered access company in the world, and am hopeful to progress to head of the department.”
Abby Harker, 30, is also benefitting from the company’s encouragement. After spending her 20s working as a supermarket store manager, Abby saw Nationwide Platforms’ call for apprentices as a way of fulfilling a passion for engineering she had as a child. Having completed a level 1 and 2 diploma in engineering, she is currently progressing with the level 3 NVQ from the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB).
“The apprenticeship means everything to me; I’m so glad I took the jump to pursue something I’ve been thinking of doing since childhood. It’s great that I can to gain practical work experience and build on my academic training whilst having the support of the other engineers within the Durham depot. Having their support has not only helped me in my job, it’s also enabled me to explore other roles including being the depot’s health and safety representative and I’m excited to grow in my career at Nationwide Platforms.”
Rhett Hammond, 17, is kickstarting his career with an ICT apprenticeship at Nationwide Platforms’ Head Office in Lutterworth. Rhett decided to pursue an IT career after discovering his love of problem solving at school, and the role of Apprentice IT Service Desk Analyst at Nationwide Platforms was right up his street. Rhett has found that a 15-month course, run through online college, Baltic Apprenticeships, offers a level of flexibility that is invaluable to balance work and learning.
“This apprenticeship suits how I learn. Spending 80% of my time working in the office has helped the dynamic and the positive atmosphere I have with my colleagues feels natural. This apprenticeship is a great steppingstone into a career in IT.”
Alyssa Thornley, Apprenticeship Coordinator at Nationwide Platforms said, “Apprenticeships here at Nationwide Platforms are a great way to bring in new talent who can be trained in the Nationwide Platforms way, but it’s also a fantastic opportunity for our current employees to develop and learn. We have a lot of opportunities and hopefully in the future we’ll utilise apprenticeships even more than we already do.”
Nationwide Platforms is continually seeking new talent to join its workforce as well as investing in current employees. In the next year they aim to attract more women to their programmes and expand the uptake of apprentices across the board - and are currently recruiting for finance and HR apprentices.
To find out more about the schemes with Nationwide Platforms visit our apprenticeships page.