It's National Apprenticeship week

We recognise the importance of training in the workplace and how work-based learning, alongside academic attainment, can support both the individual and business.  Apprenticeships are, and will remain, an important part of us strengthening our skills gaps.

Rubery Owen is a levy paying business and, since the introduction of the apprenticeship levy, has decided to utilise this.  We are currently using funding to support aspiring team leaders and existing managers to gain a higher level apprenticeship Diploma in Level 3 and Level 5 Management, which will be accredited through CMI (Chartered Management Institute).  Because of the way the process works, some of our people are studying core Maths/English courses too, which are really benefiting them.

By using our levy in this way, it allows learners to feel valued and perhaps complete a qualification that they may have felt out of reach.  All whilst doing their job.  What they are bringing back into the workplace is notable and this is not just practical but also the behaviours they are using.  We are seeing them grow in confidence and some promotions have been achieved.  On a practical level, we have learners from our different businesses coming to work together in the workshops, which helps them considerably.

Rubery Owen supports technical apprentices too; this is integral to us growing talent which is so important to us. One of our Laboratory Technicians has recently passed her HNC in Applied Chemistry and is now starting the HND in Analytical Chemistry at Level 5.