Skip to main content
Facilitate Magazine: Informing Workplace and Facilities Management Professionals - return to the homepage Facilitate magazine logo
  • Search
  • Visit Facilitate Magazine on Facebook
  • Visit Facilitate Magazine on LinkedIn
  • Visit @Facilitate_Mag on Twitter
Visit the website of the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management Logo of the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management

Main navigation

  • Home
  • News
    • Comment
    • People
    • Reports
    • Research
  • Features
    • Analysis
    • Features
    • Round Tables
    • Webinars
  • Outsourcing
    • Contract Finder
    • Contracts
    • FM Business Models
    • Interviews
    • Mergers & Acquisitions
    • Opinion
    • Procurement
    • Trends
  • Know-How
    • Explainers
    • Legal Updates
    • White Papers
  • Jobs
  • Topics
    • Workplace Services
      • Hospitality
      • Catering
      • Cleaning
      • Front of House
      • Grounds Maintenance
      • Helpdesk
      • Mailroom
      • Manned Guarding / Security
      • Pest Control
      • Washroom Services
      • Disaster Recovery
      • Specialist Services
    • Professional Performance
      • Behavioural Change
      • Continual Professional Development
      • Education
      • Management
      • Recruitment
      • Training
    • Workplace Performance
      • Benchmarking
      • Health & Wellbeing
      • Operational Readiness
      • Procurement
      • Security
      • Workplace User Experience
      • Workplace Culture
    • Compliance
      • Health & Safety
      • Risk & Business Continuity
      • Standards
      • Statutory Compliance
    • Building Services
      • Architecture & Construction
      • Asset Management
      • Building Controls
      • Building Fabric
      • Drinking Water
      • Fire Protection
      • HVAC
      • Landscaping
      • Mechanical & Electrical
      • Building Security
      • Water, Drainage & Plumbing
    • Technology
      • Building Information Modelling
      • CAFM
      • Data & Networks
      • Document Management
      • Information Management
      • Internet of Things (IoT)
      • Software & Systems
    • Energy management
      • Energy Management Systems
      • Electricity
      • Gas
      • Solar
      • Wind
    • Sustainability
      • Environmental Quality
      • Social Value
      • Waste Management
      • Recycling
    • Workspace Design
      • Agile Working
      • Fit-Out & Refurbishment
      • Inclusive Access
      • Lighting
      • Office Interiors
      • Signage
      • Space Planning
      • Storage
      • Vehicle Management / Parking
      • Washroom
    • Sectors
      • Corporate Office
      • Education
      • Healthcare
      • Manufacturing
      • International
      • Retail
      • Sports & Leisure
      • Regions
  • Buyers' Guide
Quick links:
  • Home
  • News
  • Comment

Apprentices are assets

Open-access content Thursday 8th March 2018 — updated 2.38pm, Tuesday 5th May 2020

08 March 2018 | Anna West


Anna West, HR manager at MCP Property Services, says we should think differently about the value of apprenticeship schemes for long-term business gain.  


It's National Apprenticeship Week, a campaign to be commended on encouraging more apprentices into industry. It helps to raise awareness of the types of schemes on offer, assisting school leavers in particular to decide on the next best step for their career.  


Apprenticeship schemes within facilities management and related labour sectors still suffer from the stigma of seeing apprentices as another pair of hands to do minor tasks such as photocopying, making tea or moving materials. I still hear horror stories of young apprentices being treated unfairly by other employers.   


Apprentices can make significant and positive impacts on business. They bring fresh ideas and energy that help foster innovation, improve staff morale and, ultimately, increase the bottom line. 


But to embrace the value of apprentices, industry needs to see them as long-term investments and strategic assets, not just short-sighted tick-box exercises for CSR purposes. 


Apprentices are our future team leaders, supervisors and directors. They are the next generation of our workforce. Many apprentices start to develop their careers during an apprenticeship and it benefits employers to keep such new experience, skills and knowledge within the company.  


Aspiring apprentices are looking for opportunities to earn money, learn new skills in a supportive environment, and find job security. 


Bucking an industry trend, we make a commitment to them: if they work hard and continue to learn, they have a job for life. This removes the agonising wait most apprentices endure to find out whether they have done enough to get a job at the end of their scheme. 


Paying more than the £3.70 per hour minimum wage and investing in their training and development are ways to demonstrate commitment to apprentices, but what they value most is a supportive working environment in which to develop. 


By communicating with apprentices - we do this in our 'Breakfast with Matt' sessions in which the managing director has informal and confidential chats with them - we can understand the highlights, frustrations, challenges and ideas apprentices and other team members face in their daily tasks. 


With these insights, we can build a culture of opportunity, understanding and innovation by rewarding people for doing the right thing.   


Anna West is HR manager at MCP Property Services


Check out our other blog posts below:


http://www.fm-world.co.uk/comment/perspectives/pressforprogress-this-womens-day/


http://www.fm-world.co.uk/comment/perspectives/lead-your-own-way/


http://www.fm-world.co.uk/comment/perspectives/gender-equality-is-far-from-the-norm-in-fm/

Also filed in:
Comment
Content

You might also like...

Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Linked in
  • Mail
  • Print

Today's top reads

 

Latest Jobs

Project Leader (Maternity Cover One Year Contract)

Cambridge
Circa £50,000 Pro Rata + Benefits & Opportunities
Reference
56378

Maintenance Supervisor

Surrey
Up to £43,000 + Excellent Package & Opportunities
Reference
56376

Regional Facilities Manager

South West England
Circa £40,000 + Benefits & Opportunities
Reference
56375
See all jobs »

 

 

Sign up to our newsletter

News, jobs and updates

Sign up

Subscribe to print

Sign up to receive our bi-monthly magazine

Subscribe
Facilitate magazine cover, June 2020
​
FOLLOW US
@Facilitate_Mag
Facilitate Magazine
Facilitate Magazine
CONTACT US
Contact us
Tel: 020 7880 6200
​

IWFM

About IWFM
Become a member
Qualifications
Events

Information

Privacy Policy
Terms & Conditions
Cookie Policy
Think Green

Get in touch

Contact us
Advertise with us
Subscribe to Facilitate Magazine
Write for Facilitate Magazine

General

IWFM Jobs
Help

© 2022 • www.facilitatemagazine.com and Facilitate Magazine are published by Redactive Media Group. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any part is not allowed without written permission.

Redactive Media Group Ltd, 71-75 Shelton Street, London WC2H 9JQ