2008 Employer of the Year Large business (250+ employees) - British Telecom
Fay Bloomfield
Employer of the Year Large business
Employer – British Telecom
Training Provider – Accenture (UK) Ltd
We see apprentices, including Fay, and their instructor next to a telecoms circuit
Dave says “This year we’ve taken on 407 apprentices across all lines of business. The retention rate currently stands at 93%, which is something we are very proud of.”
Fay says “They really look after their apprentices and give them opportunities to develop themselves. With this apprenticeship I can now see that I have a future, I can see myself progressing into management.”
Fay is working outdoors with her instructor
Dave says “The goal is to improve their learning experience. What we’ve done this year is to take a real look at blended learning solutions. What I mean by blend is to use various types of electronic medium to allow apprentices to study either as a virtual group or to study on their own. Which improves the experience of the apprentice but it also provides a better return on invest for the business. The life skills are a very important part of what we do and it’s about getting to know people as individuals, and helping them develop as individuals.” Fay is tidying up the back of the work van, putting everything back in the right container “This year was the second year we have invested in Challenge Africa, their lives have been changed forever because of that event and the value that they place on that event is reflected back into the value they place on the company.”
British Telecom, finalist for the Large Employer of the Year Award at the Apprenticeship Awards 2008.