Apprenticeships are at the heart of the business and recruitment strategy at British Telecom. The 99,000 strong workforce currently includes 862 apprentices, with a campaign underway to increase this number to over 1,200 by September 2007.
BT expects to save in excess of £7.5 million when recruiting apprentices compared to adult recruitment of the same scale. An additional saving of £2 million is expected as fully trained apprentices come to fruition, as they are more productive than their adult entrant counterparts. .
Dave Walsh, head of BT Apprenticeships said: ‘Our investment in our apprentices exceeds the framework requirements in both learning and skills. We offer academic and empirical learning, which includes life skill development opportunities such as the Princes Trust programme, foreign exchange trips and, this year, our first Challenge Africa event. All of these programmes are designed to help develop individuals beyond their immediate role, so they can apply their new found skills when dealing with BT customers – a key skill as customer service is a number one performance indicator for BT.’
Apprenticeship frameworks offered within BT range from Customer Service, Business Administration, Service Technician and Network Designer. The programme is so successful that last year BT and training provider Accenture (UK) Ltd received an ALI inspection score of ‘outstanding’ in the area of learning.
On average, 60 per cent of each apprentice year group progresses to a higher level of education. With a guaranteed job at the end of their Apprenticeship, 80 per cent of BT’s apprentices complete their qualification, and the company’s average retention rates are an impressive 85 per cent.
Apprentice Nimesh Chauhan is one of BT’s success stories. ‘I’m currently working with the general manager in Coventry, reviewing our branch’s expenses. This time last year I was sitting in an exam – now I’m discussing finances of over £400,000. How many 18 year olds are able to say that? My Apprenticeship has really broadened my horizons and helped me to understand other people’s points of view: an important skill both inside and outside of work.’
Kieron Mullan, professional development manager at Accenture (UK) Ltd said: “BT’s commitment to its Apprenticeship programme is beyond reproach, with the learner workforce embedded right at the centre of its decision making process. This approach demonstrates a unique commitment by a large employer to developing its apprentices individually and holistically, from the moment learners join, right through their training, and beyond.”
BT is a finalist in the Large Employer of the Year category at the national Apprenticeship Awards 2007.
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