“We believe that employing, training and supporting Apprenticeships grows the skills of individuals which in turn grows the skills of the business”, asserts Eleanor Hill, Sales and Marketing Director at Working at Height firm Delta International.
In 2007, 92 per cent of Delta International’s business was generated from repeat clients. Delta is a market leader in the specialised industry of Working at Height, providing high access solutions for the power, refining and petrochemical industries. Exceptional training is vital; ensuring the business always has the specialised staff needed to maintain such high customer loyalty. Apprenticeships form a core part of this training.
All ‘Steeplejack’ apprentices at Delta undertake a three year training programme. This consists of 30 weeks at Bircham Newton College, combined with on-site experience within the company. Apprentices are also given a mentor who fully supervises and coaches them through the practicalities of being ‘on the job’, helping them hone the skills they have gained at college in real, on-site, situations. Delta also takes on apprentices within the office- engineering, administration and management sectors of the business.
Delta has been benefiting from Apprenticeships for several years. Eleanor says: “Apprenticeships have been fundamental in increasing staff retention and proficiency within the organisation. Our investment in Apprenticeships has seen a continual growth within the company.”
Six former apprentices have progressed within Delta into directorship, management, supervision and foreman roles. The range of training opportunities offered by the company has played a crucial role in this. Eleanor comments: “Without the foundation skills that Apprenticeships gave them, they may not have had both the tangible and intangible skills to fulfil these responsible positions.”
One great example of Delta’s successful Apprenticeship programme is Craig Travis, now a Steeplejack Foreman. In 2007, Craig became the country’s first apprentice in the industry to complete his NVQ framework within the three year Apprenticeship timeframe.
Another ambassador is Paul Bentley, who joined Delta as an apprentice in 1982, aged 16. He has gone on to become a Project Manager for Delta and is a qualified scaffolder and IRATA Supervisor. Paul is so convinced of Apprenticeships’ benefits that in 2005 he encouraged his son, Scott, to apply. Scott is now in his final year of a ‘Steeplejack’ Apprenticeship, and a valued member of the Delta team. This year, Paul’s youngest son, Ross, has also joined the company as an apprentice.
Delta International was a finalist in the Small Employer of the Year category in the national Apprenticeship Awards 2008.