Manchester based Editors Keys is a leading designer, manufacturer and supplier of a range of editing keyboards to the TV and audio industries and works with a number of clients at the BBC and ITV. The company also supplies microphones and recording equipment to the music industry.
Keen to expand his workforce, owner and managing director Mark Brown began to think about recruiting an apprentice to the team. Being a small company with a small workforce, Mark was looking for an individual who could work across all areas of the business as well as someone who would be willing and eager to learn. An apprentice seemed the ideal solution.
Having had no previous experience of Apprenticeships, Mark was understandably a little apprehensive. However, after reading the positive employer and apprentice experiences on the Apprenticeship website and contacting the National Apprenticeship Service helpline to talk through the initiative, his concerns were quickly dispelled and Mark decided this would be the best option for the company.
He was put in touch with Manchester based training provider Skills Solutions who helped him to advertise the position through Apprenticeship vacancies, a free online service which allows employers to advertise and manage their vacancies, and allows individuals to search and apply for Apprenticeships and Advanced Apprenticeships.
The vacancy attracted over 40 applicants whom Skills Solutions helped to screen and draw up a shortlist of potential apprentices for the company to interview. 17 year old Fallon Morris was appointed and is now working towards her NVQ level 2 in Business Administration.
Mark comments: “I found the whole recruitment process for Apprenticeships great from beginning to end. The National Apprenticeship Service and Skills Solutions have been extremely helpful for both Editors Keys and Fallon, our new apprentice.”
“Like many other business owners I had my reservations about employing an apprentice but it’s been one of the best decisions for our company since we started. It’s allowed us to get that extra help we needed as well as help to develop and train an enthusiastic new member of staff.”
Fallon is already making a big impact on the business with a marked improvement in customer service. She’s learning about all aspects of the business from marketing and PR to social media and finance and has even been involved in designing the packaging for a new product. She’s brought a young and fresh perspective to the company which is hugely beneficial due to the young target market.
Mark concludes, "Having Fallon with us is great for business, it allows you to get the help you need to do some of the day-to-day tasks, as well as getting someone with fresh ideas to have a say in how the company is run. We run a small exciting company where we are all truly part of a team, so this works great for us."
“I think there are plenty of advantages for businesses to take on apprentices. You get the chance to employ someone who is new to the business world and develop and nurture their skills exactly for your business. I also believe as an Apprenticeship leads towards a qualification, the apprentice you take on is much more eager to learn than a standard employee or part time worker.”
For more information on Editors Keys please visit their website.