WHEN Nital was founded 45 years ago, apprenticeships were very different from what we know today – mainly focused on the traditional skills rather than the wide range of employment opportunities they now offer. But the ethos of Nital, however, has hardly changed a bit.
WHEN Nital was founded 45 years ago, apprenticeships were very different from what we know today – mainly focused on the traditional skills rather than the wide range of employment opportunities they now offer. But the ethos of Nital, however, has hardly changed a bit. Founded by eight smaller companies to push collectively for government funding in the face of the stronger, large employers, it is a charitable organisation that liaises with candidate and employers and helps draw down government funding and then provide support to both the young person and the company. Alan Smith, CEO of Nital, originally the Northamptonshire Industrial Training Association Ltd, said: “We have had to move with the times as apprenticeships have come full circle and are now once again an important option for young people getting into work, but the aims are the same. And our we’ve been enormously successful , with success rates currently standing at around 91 per cent plus, against a national apprenticeship success rate of 74 per cent. “We think that is because we get involved with both the employing company and the candidate from the beginning to ensure that both sides understand the process and that the apprentice is the best fit for the role.” While some companies have a long-standing relationship with Nital, and other approach the organisation for help, many get involved in offering apprenticeships through an initial approach from Nital, and an assessment of their needs and whether an apprentice would fit in with the company’s aims and structure. Simon Webster, Business Development Manager at Nital, said: “Sometimes we can identify needs within an organisation, where there may not be growth or succession planning and where an apprentice has never been considered, and we can help that company to see the benefits, and to access and understand the training and funding that is available. “Under the apprenticeship programme, funding is available for young people, that is, aged 16 to 18, and, on a proportionately lower basis, for adults aged 19 and over. What is important to understand is that apprenticeships are geared towards the individual, so we never allow anyone to step backwards in their training – and someone coming out of school with A levels, for instance, will never be introduced into a company at the level of, say, a 16-years-old school leaver with GCSEs. Each apprenticeship will reflect the candidate’s ability and ensure they can push forward from there.” Apprenticeships exist in almost all areas of working life now, from the traditional craftsman skills such as engineering, building and technical skills, through to business administration, human resources and marketing roles. Young people approaching Nital, having found out about them through the organisation’s school and careers show visits, or through the careers service or the media, will be invited to put together a CV and speculative letter. Nital will help develop that CV and letter, giving tips on interview technique, researching a company before interview, etc. Once an opening has been identified and agreed upon, Nital will follow that up with regular visits, at intervals of around four to six weeks, throughout the apprenticeship. Alan Smith added: “We ensure that the young person is getting the training they need, but also that they are fitting in well with the company. Sometimes, when a company is new to apprenticeships, they need help and support. Issues can easily develop where an apprentice doesn’t feel comfortable talking to their bosses, or where a company isn’t really sure how to handle issues with the young person they’ve taken on, and we provide a means for getting to the bottom of the issue on both sides and acting as a link between the two. “But very often, companies find that they hadn’t realised the value of apprentices. They find that they end up with keen, hard-working young people who really grasp the opportunity, and turn into good workers who are a credit to the company.” An indication of how this success translates into the world of work can be seen in the final 10 candidates for this year’s World Skills Show in Birmingham. Two of the 10, chosen nationally from all sectors of employment, are Nital apprentices. They will be competing for the UK title, and hoping to go on to the international event in Brazil later this year where the World Skills Champion will be chosen. “The important thing for us is to show employers how successful we have been, and how an apprentice can be so beneficial to their business,” said Alan Smith. “We have companies who come back to us time and again whenever they are ready to take on a new apprentice, and are testament to what we do and how well it works, with support for both sides every step of the way. “We would encourage young people and potential employers to get in touch and find out more about what we can do to help.”
