Eight North East organisations have been recognised by the Government for their outstanding commitment to apprenticeships.
League tables have been published highlighting Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers and Top 50 Small and Medium Employers (SMEs). The league tables showcase the very best apprenticeship programmes over the past 12 months.
Employers are ranked not just on the number of apprentices they take on, but for their commitment to diversity, their creation of new apprenticeships, the progression of their apprentices onto further apprenticeships and employment. The Department for Education said the firms’ dedication to delivering high-quality apprenticeships plays a crucial role in boosting the skills and career opportunities of people from all backgrounds, while plugging skills gaps and helping the economy to grow.
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The table lists 100 UK organisations according to the level of apprenticeships, the percentage of employees that were apprentices in March 2023, and the number of apprentices that started an apprenticeship in the year ended March 31 2023.
Top of the North East list is Newcastle based transport operator Go-Ahead, which comes fifth – beating its previous ranking at 13, and securing its position as top apprenticeships employer in the UK transport industry. The company is currently training 1,020 apprentices across bus and rail operations as well as its head office functions. More than 700 apprentices are currently training to be London bus drivers at Go-Ahead London’s academy in Camberwell and a further 470 apprentices are in training at Govia Thameslink Railway.
Carolyn Ferguson, group chief people officer, said: “Our Apprenticeships programme has gone from strength to strength. We’re so proud of the results in the rankings – to come in at number five means that we’re moving in the right direction. As we attract the new generation of drivers and engineers, it’s our priority to ensure the programme is forever expanding and will continue to reflect the diverse communities we serve. At Go-Ahead we believe apprenticeships are a great way to begin a career in transport. There are so many opportunities to develop and many of our apprentices have gone on to lead very successful careers.”
Nissan, the region’s biggest employer with more than 6,000 workers, features at number 10, helping to fill skills gaps in the manufacturing and engineering industries and creating a talent pipeline for the future.
Michael Jude, HR director at Nissan Sunderland Plant, said: “With thousands through the doors since 1986, our high calibre apprentices are a huge part of the Nissan Sunderland success story. This is fantastic recognition for our scheme. It also reflects our ongoing passion for developing the skills and nurturing the talent that will push us forward into the exciting electrified era for our industry.”
Hays Travel, which had 288 apprentices start at the business in the last year, makes the top 100 at number 11.
Jonathon Woodall-Johnston, chief operating officer, said: “We have employed apprentices at Hays Travel for over 30 years and are immensely proud of our apprenticeship programme, which is at the heart of our commitment to enabling young people to reach their potential. I started my own career with Hays Travel as an apprentice so have firsthand experience of how well the programme prepares young people for successful and exciting careers in travel and tourism. We recruit an apprentice in every one of our 450 branches nationally and in each department in our Sunderland headquarters. Our apprentices undertake a rigorous programme of study while earning a salary - gaining valuable on-the-job experience before achieving a nationally recognised certificate on completion.”
The list is rounded out by Northumbria Police at number 30, County Durham & Darlington Fire & Rescue Service (CDDFRS) at number 26, the North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) NHS Foundation Trust at number 65, and Vertu, at 98.
Assistant chief officer Joscelin Lawson of Northumbria Police said: “Apprenticeships are a perfect opportunity to learn and develop in a busy working environment, while also working towards those crucial qualifications. All our apprentices bring a wealth of experience and skills with them and as a Force we are able to learn and develop from the contribution they make.
“Northumbria Police is a really diverse place to work and our apprentices are a huge part of that. They help us to be the best we can for the communities we serve, and I am pleased that our commitment has been recognised nationally. It’s fantastic the Force has been recognised in this way and really does demonstrate our organisation is a great place to work. I just want to personally thank all those who have played their part.”
Karen Gardner, assistant director of people development at NEAS NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Apprenticeships were traditionally seen as something that was only for school leavers at career entry level but they have come on so far over the last few years and are now undertaken by people of all ages and at all levels to help our people progress throughout their career. To be one of only four NHS organisations in the top 100 nationally – and to have climbed so many spaces over the last year – is a fantastic achievement, and is testament to the efforts of our teams behind the scenes. I’m very proud of them all.”
Cheryl Porter, CDDFRS learning and development advisor, said: “We are proud we can offer excellent training and development opportunities for existing employees and for those joining our service through an apprenticeship programme. We were the first fire and rescue service in the country to offer firefighter apprenticeships back in 2017, and to see the programme continue to be a success makes us extremely proud. As we embark onto our seventh cohort of apprentices, our commitment to the firefighter apprenticeship programme couldn’t be higher.”
Meanwhile, engineering firm Intelect is number 27 on the Top 50 SMEs. The Middleborough-based mechanical and electrical engineering contractor has over 25 years’ experience supporting various process industries such as food and beverage manufacturing, utilities and renewables.
Fran Cormican, managing director at Intelect, said: “Our apprenticeship programme has been hugely beneficial when it comes to combatting the skills gap that our industry is notorious for. It ensures that we have a consistent stream of talent running through our business and brings a wealth of ideas and innovations with it. The main benefit of an apprenticeship is that you can earn while you learn. We offer our apprentices a solid career path of progression, should they choose to take it, and that is testimony to our 54% retention rate over the last 25 years.”
Education Secretary Gillian Keegan added: “Congratulations to all the employers across the North East which have been recognised for their brilliant apprenticeship programmes. My apprenticeship was my golden ticket to a successful business career. These employers in sectors from digital, childcare and healthcare recognise the benefits apprentices can bring to their business, helping to create a talent pipeline and filling skills gaps to grow the economy. I would encourage all businesses - no matter what size or sector - to follow their lead.”
