We interviewed Mark Bremner, the Business Director and CEO of MBKB. MBKB is the training provider that trained the Luca Award-winning Apprentice of the Year! Together with winning the LUCA Apprenticeship Training Provider of the Year.
1) What benefits can hiring an apprentice bring to a small business?
A: Running the apprenticeship scheme allows you to train an individual not only in the legislative requirements but also to mould them into your processes and protocols so they become qualified and experienced in exactly how your business works so they fit into your visions and values. Your apprentice can be completely tailored to suit your business- it's the best way to gain homegrown talent!
2) What sorts of employers should consider an apprentice?
A: Well, apprenticeships are appropriate with all levels of employers. We work with the public sector and the private sector, we have clients that are international names, and we work with SMEs as well. So, for example, we’ll work with small businesses utilising the payroll administrator apprenticeship for their upcoming bookkeepers.
3) Does it take a lot of work from the employer and how do you support yours?
A: So, yes there is a commitment from the employer. The best apprenticeships are when there’s a three-way team between us, the apprentice and the employer. We start supporting the employer usually with a work shadowing event, we get to know the employer and look at their visions and mission statements and what they want to achieve. We then design the programme flexibly around what their requirements are for the 12 months (or 18 months depending on the programme length). The employer can pick and choose the order of the modules, delivery dates and times and we can even put in some additionalities so if there is a particular need, we can address that.
4) What kind of support do you offer your apprentices?
A: So, in terms of the apprentices, we start with the initial assessment which looks at their basic competencies of maths, English and digital skills so we can make sure that those are enhanced and developed throughout the programme. We also work with them and assess their learning styles and working preferences so that we can address the resources and the actual delivery mode to their preferred learning style, so every module has got multiple options of delivery and we use workshops, one-to-one sessions, coaching methodology, mentoring and tutoring- it's completely flexible! We’re generally in touch with our apprentices weekly keeping them updated and we’ll do a formal session with them every three weeks as well. We fully engage with them throughout the programme and we keep their manager informed monthly as well.
5) Should young people start looking into apprenticeships instead of a-levels/a bachelor’s degree? What are the benefits of pursuing this path?
A: I think they should- but of course I might be a bit biased! The core benefits of an apprenticeship are earning and learning at the same time, that’s where it sets aside from academic routes. Moreover, because of the flexibility and the relationship with the employer, you’re fast-tracked into senior roles. So, if you spend a couple of years at college or university doing an academic qualification, you’re at ground zero when you're starting in that role, whereas an apprenticeship you start at zero but within two years you’re already an advanced practitioner. Plus, there are multiple routes for development through to level 3 to level 7 which we work on as well, and again, it’s all tailored around the employer.
6) What advice would you give to someone pursuing a payroll apprenticeship?
A: I would suggest having a look at the payroll standard to see everything that’s involved in it. It’s a very rewarding career, it’s technical as well so there is a lot of theory that’s involved in it. Talk to us or other training providers as well and get a feel for it. Any good training provider will be willing to spend an hour with you explaining what the programme looks like and allowing you to decide if it’s the right option for you.
7) What are the challenges someone might face when doing an apprenticeship?
A: It can be daunting; it can be a lot of work to do. You’re settling in at a new job as a new employee and doing the training, but we think we address that quite well in the way we do our induction in the first six weeks and that’s tailored around the business induction as well which we do to support apprentices. I don’t see a downside to it at all!
To learn more about hiring an ICB Apprentice click here.
