BAM Nuttall scoops National Apprenticeship Award
BAM Nuttall Limited was last night revealed as the BAE Systems Large Employer of the Year 2013 in the National Apprenticeship Awards at a ceremony at Birmingham’s NEC. The Awards, now in their tenth year, are run by the National Apprenticeship Service and recognise excellence in two areas: businesses that grow their own talent with apprentices and apprentices who have made a significant contribution to their workplaces.
The company was chosen as the winner in recognition of its commitment to developing young people through Apprenticeships. BAM Nuttall currently has over 80 apprentices enrolled on trade and business support Apprenticeships with a further 32 coming on board this autumn. An average of 90% of those undertaking technical Apprenticeships with the company progress to higher education while former apprentices from the 2005 intake, of which 75% are still with the company, have now been promoted four times. Past apprentices have also been seen to reach senior management positions.
On accepting the award, Ceri Mercer, Apprenticeship & Higher Education Manager at BAM Nuttall, said:
“Apprentices have been an important part of our company culture for 20 years and we attract young people from all walks of life. Apprentices have changed the feel of our company. Their craving to learn fuels our learning culture and our supervisors are passionate to share their knowledge and pass skills on to the new generation.
“In a time of skill shortages, growing our own talent is top of our agenda and brings about a great company fit where apprentices understand our business, demonstrate our behaviours and have a great work ethic. We know that they have high levels of technical competence as we can ensure that their training and learning is first class.”
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg was guest of honour at the Awards and said:
“To lock in our economic recovery we need a new generation of talent entering the world of work and I am committed to making sure young people today get the opportunities they need to realise their full potential.
“Since 2010, we have created a million and a half new apprenticeships but none of that would have been possible without events like this and the support of businesses who go that extra mile to help our apprentices progress.
“I was delighted to be able to meet so many of our young apprentices and businesses from across England at the Apprenticeship Awards tonight - it is the drive and ambition that we celebrated here that will, in the years ahead, help our country and its people thrive.”
Skills and Enterprise Minister, Matthew Hancock said:
“Apprenticeships deliver for employers, young people, adults and the economy. I congratulate the winners and finalists at the National Apprenticeship Awards.
“They represent the very best of employers and apprentices in this country and set a hugely positive example for other individuals and organisations to follow.
“I want a system that works for businesses as well as learners. These awards demonstrate this and I am pleased to see so many learners, businesses and partners showing their commitment to Apprenticeships."
To view the full list of award winners and finalists or for more information about Apprenticeships, please visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk.
National Apprenticeship Service
We enable our nation to generate a more highly skilled workforce. Through Apprenticeships, skills competitions and awards, which create opportunity, support development and showcase excellence. Our endeavours enable us to:
- Transform the lives of our people.
- Stimulate growth and strengthen our economy.
- Instill pride in the skilled people of our nation.
The Skills Funding Agency
The Skills Funding Agency is a partner organisation of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS). Its job is to fund and promote adult further education (FE) and skills training in England, including Traineeships and Apprenticeships, in a way which supports economic growth. The Agency delivers £4.1 billion of skills training through contracts with over 1,000 colleges, private training organisations and employers, with a highly effective supply chain that means FE meets local need in the most cost-effective way.
Within the Skills Funding Agency, there are two customer-facing services: the National Apprenticeship Service, which is responsible for increasing the number of Traineeship and Apprenticeship opportunities, and the National Careers Service, which provides impartial careers information, advice and guidance online, by telephone or face-to-face. The Skills Funding Agency also hosts the Information Authority, an independent body that acts on behalf of organisations involved in further education and training in England, setting data standards and governing data collection.