Arco helps apprentices grow their skills
STRONG LINKS: Anna Harvatt, Arco community engagement manager (front left), and Alice Marren, learning and development partner (front right), with students from Sirius Academy West
Arco has taken part in a series of events and community initiatives to mark National Apprenticeship Week, promoting the work of its apprentices and highlighting opportunities apprenticeships offer.
As well as recruiting apprentices, the fifth-generation family business also offers apprenticeships to existing colleagues who want to upskill as part of their personal development programmes.
To mark the week, several Acro apprentices attended the planting of four ‘seedboms’ at a garden created by colleagues from Arco’s Hose Division at its facility next door to the business’s National Distribution Centre in Hessle.
Darren Ford, head of organisation development and learning and development at Arco, said: “At Arco, we have over 50 apprenticeships in progress, with 13 of these specifically designed to create opportunities for new apprentices in the business.
“It is because of this commitment that we are delighted to be taking part in National Apprenticeship Week, which provides us with a great platform to celebrate the work of our apprentices, and promote apprenticeships as a great path for those starting out or looking to change careers, and for colleagues looking to further develop their skills and expertise.
“The planting of the seedboms is a physical reminder that apprenticeships grow skills and we would like to thank the Yorkshire and Humber Apprenticeship Ambassador Network for supplying them.”
Through its work with partners, Arco has also been out and about in the community promoting apprenticeships as a career path for young people.
As part of its partnership with The Constellation Trust, colleagues from Arco visited Sirius Academy West to discuss apprenticeships and other learning opportunities at the business with a group of students.
GREEN FINGERS: Arco apprentices and former apprentices, from left, Katie Train, Ben Stutely, Tracey Jackson and Rosie Pearson, throwing seedboms in the garden at the company’s National Distribution Centre
Kirstine Beetham, careers leader and education welfare officer at Sirius Academy West, said: “Arco is a great supporter of the students at Sirius Academy West.
“In addition to coming in to inspire our students by talking to them about the opportunities at Arco and the available apprenticeships, they have provided the resources in the Arco computer suites to enable our students to undertake their own careers-related learning online.”
Staff from Arco also attended the Humber Apprenticeship Showcase, hosted by the Humber Outreach Programme, as guest speakers.
The virtual event, which was aimed at students who are thinking about their future career, provided a space for Arco to promote the opportunities available to students through its apprenticeship scheme.
Neil Cavill, Head of Business Improvement, said: “It was fantastic to speak to a number of students about the range of apprenticeships we offer at Arco across various aspects of the business.
“Events likes these demonstrate the wealth of talent that there is across the Humber region and how, with the right opportunities, on-the-job learning and skills development, this will support the local economy to grow.”
This year, Arco has also made apprenticeship levy funding available to one of its community partners, with an application currently being processed from Martin House Children’s Hospice for a safety, health and environmental advisor at the charity.
As well as funding the application, Arco’s support also extends to assisting the apprentice with achieving a health and safety recognised qualification with the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health.