The recently introduced Higher Apprenticeship in HR Management provides the focus for a new Sector in the Spotlight film launched today by the National Apprenticeship Service.
The film showcases how the Apprenticeships are working in practice at BT and aims to inspire more firms to offer them. It features two of BT’s higher apprentices – Louise Smith and Lydia Wood. They both talk about the reason for choosing the Apprenticeship and their aspirations for the future.
The film goes on to share the thoughts of Natalie Krista, BT’s HR Business Partner, who outlines the wide range of tasks the apprentices are involved in, such as reporting, analysis, resourcing and team building workshops. She also highlights the up-skilling and mentoring opportunity the apprentices offer to other members of the HR team.
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In addition, BT’s Learning Programme Development Manager, Kate Mooney is featured discussing how, for BT, Apprenticeships offer the best way to bring new talent into the business.
The film can be viewed at www.apprentice.tv
The Higher Apprenticeship in HR Management was developed by Skills CFA and The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). It incorporates a Level 5 qualification which is the equivalent to the second year of university. It covers many topics, including improving organisational performance, knowledge management, employment law, employee engagement, resourcing and talent planning and reward management.
Peter Cheese, chief executive of the CIPD, said: “Apprenticeships deliver both business value and social value by giving young people different routes into work. A key reason for introducing this HR Apprenticeship is so we can attract a more diverse array of talent to pursue careers in HR and business.”
David Holland, chief executive, Skills CFA, said: “HR Management is one of the most critical functions in business. The Higher Apprenticeship in HR Management provides employers with a new route for developing higher-level skills in this area, allowing them to grow their teams in the manner which best suits their business. For learners, the Apprenticeship is a great way to start a career in HR, providing a comprehensive understanding of the HR function alongside practical experience of the workplace, as well as a being a key pathway to professional accreditation.”
Karen Woodward, deputy director for Apprenticeships and employer policy implementation at the Skills Funding Agency, said: “The introduction of the Higher Apprenticeship in HR provides employers with the ability to attract and grow their own talent. Apprenticeships are delivering for businesses of all sizes and we hope this film will help convince even more employers to consider offering them, as well as new Traineeships that will help unlock the great potential of young people.”
Successful HR apprentices can go on to study for a range of HR and other professional qualifications at Level 6 and above, or could choose to do an undergraduate or masters degree in HR Management. They can also obtain associate professional membership of the CIPD.
Apprenticeships now cover more than 170 skills and industries across 1,500 job roles, over an extensive range of skill levels. The film is part of the Sector in the Spotlight series, created to promote Apprenticeships in key industry sectors.
Government funding is available to help companies take on an apprentice. Through the Apprenticeship Grant for Employers (AGE) of 16 to 24 year olds, employers that choose to grow their business through Apprenticeships can access funding of £1,500. The grant is open to organisations employing up to 1,000 people, that have never employed an apprentice before, or have not recruited one in the past 12 months.
For more information on Apprenticeships, visit apprenticeships.org.uk.
