A local specialist recruitment business has unveiled a new shared apprenticeship scheme aimed at tackling the skills shortage and creating opportunities for smaller firms to develop fresh talent.
Aberdeen-based RedWave has teamed up with C Growth to launch its own apprenticeship academy to assist businesses that would like to participate in the Modern Apprenticeship (MA) scheme, but do not currently have the necessary in-house resources to dedicate to supporting apprentices.
Apprentices are supported through RedWave’s in-house development programme, including mentoring, while the company also manages all administration activity to help simplify the process for employers. There is also reduced risk for companies as the individual is employed by Red-Wave for the duration of the apprenticeship.
Jacqueline vanden Akker, director at RedWave, said: “The main goal behind the RedWave Academy is to support the Modern Apprenticeship scheme and improve the opportunities for employers of any size to offer placements to skilled young people here in the north-east.
“The shared apprenticeship model isn’t actually a new concept – these have been in place within the construction industry for a number of years across theUK. Inaddition, there are organisations in England operating similar schemes in other sectors.
“We have deliberately aimed to make the process as straightforward as possible, as we fully appreciate that for many small businesses the thought of taking on their first apprentice is a significant commitment. By adopting this shared approach, it reduces the associated risks for companies while ensuring that the apprentice is able to actively develop their skills and knowledge in the workplace.
“The process of placing apprentices in companies is not too far removed from RedWave’s core business of providing contractor personnel which the company has done for over 26 years.”
With a new intake of apprentices in February and September, the RedWave Academy allows companies to hire apprentices covering a wide range of disciplines, and RedWave will partner with companies from any sector. The company expectssomeof themorepopular apprenticeships will be in business administration, digital marketing, IT, hospitality as well as the more traditional trades disciplines.
Not only will this provide opportunities for young individuals to secure employment and training, it will open the doors to the possibility thatsmallandmedium-sized companies can work with apprentices to support their own organisation’s growth and development. It also offers an opportunity to cross train and share learnings from different sectors.
As part of the scheme, regular events will be held to develop the apprentices by providing networking opportunities, motivational speakers and mentoring.
Any companies or individuals interested in learning more about the RedWave Academy should contact academy@redwave.co.uk or visit the website.