The UK’s leading utilities consultancy, Utilitywise, is celebrating its further investment in apprenticeships at the start of Learning at Work Week 15-21 May, as it continues with the development of its growing workforce.
Utilitywise, based in Cobalt Business Park, North Tyneside initially teamed up with Newcastle College two months ago to place 30 members of staff through leadership and management apprenticeships. Due to the success of the programme, the two organisations have joined forces once again to not only train existing team members but to also recruit new talent for their apprenticeship programme.
The next stage in the partnership has seen the company place a further seven employees through the leadership and management programme whilst an additional four staff members have been signed up for apprenticeship roles in sales, four in domestic services, two in learning and development, one in business administration and one in social media.
The intermediate and advanced level apprenticeships will upskill Utilitywise’s workforce and strengthen their growing team. The training will see existing colleagues gain nationally recognised qualifications in their work-specific area and create opportunities for new recruits.
David Armstrong, Apprenticeship Manager at Utilitywise said: “Newcastle College have been a great support to Utilitywise. The apprenticeships are going really well and the feedback we are receiving from staff is really positive.
“Based on the success we’ve had to date, we decided to expand the programme and roll out the offer to colleagues in other departments. The response was fantastic with colleagues in a variety of different roles now working towards work-based learning qualifications.
“Plans are now in place to work with the College to support Utilitywise in the recruitment of apprentice Energy Consultants. We’re finding that apprenticeships are a practical and flexible way to develop our team.”
Nicola Stidolph is one Utilitywise employee that is already seeing the benefits of apprenticeship training. Nicola, a Sales Support Team Manager within the Finance team at the company said: “I am completing a Level 3 management qualification as it will help me develop in my role and broaden my knowledge and understanding, not only as a Team Manager, but also within Utilitywise. “
Michael Humes, Business Consultant at Newcastle College said: “We are delighted with how well the apprenticeship programmes are going and that Utilitywise have already increased the number of staff on programmes.
“At Newcastle College we offer apprenticeships in 35 sector areas and work closely with apprentices and employers to find the best apprenticeship for each party. We appreciate that a one size fits all solution doesn’t work and our approach is very much a tailored partnership between us and the employer.”
To find out more about apprenticeships at Newcastle College call 0191 200 4781 or visit newcastlecollege.co.uk/employers/apprenticeships