Region’s employers look to apprenticeships to attract talent
Employers in the East of England are increasingly looking to apprenticeships to attract diverse, talented young people to their businesses. All but one of the employers region who responded to a Grant Thornton business outlook tracker survey for National Apprenticeship Week said that they currently hire young people who have completed their A-Levels or equivalents into apprenticeship roles. Over three quarters said that they hire more school leavers now than before the pandemic and most agree that hiring school leavers is as important to their business as taking on university graduates. Employers in the East also see school leaver apprenticeships as increasing opportunities for people from lower socio-economic backgrounds and agree that school leavers perform as well as graduates. James Brown, partner and practice leader in the East of England at Grant Thornton UK, said: “Employers in the East of England are discovering the benefits of using apprenticeships as a development tool. These employers are strategically using apprenticeships to address issues such as improving diversity in the workforce, achieving sustainable recruitment, and replacing traditional graduate programs with highly desirable qualifications.”
See below for examples of how businesses in the region are have benefitted from recruiting more apprentices.
Law firm advises on two Suffolk business sales
Ashtons’ corporate team has recently advised two Suffolk businesses on the sales of their companies. In Ipswich, data and technology specialist HTK has been sold to American-based ITA Group. HTK was founded in 1996 by CEO Marlon Bowser. Along with COO and brother Justin and a team in Ipswich, they work with a number of big brands on refining their customer communications strategies. They will continue to work under the HTK brand in Ipswich. ITA Group delivers custom-crafted global engagement solutions and operates globally. Senior vice president, customer solutions, Chris Jones said: “The HTK acquisition represents an important step forward in enhancing our capability to create unique, data-driven loyalty and engagement solutions.” Ashtons has also recently worked on the sale of The Ryes Education and Children’s Homes, which provides education and care to young people with complex needs and has bases across Suffolk and Norfolk. It has been sold to Keys Group, a fellow specialist in the sector. Senior associate at Ashtons Legal, Craig Fiddaman, said: “I am pleased to have assisted the directors of The Ryes in handing over to Keys Group who, like them, are a strong provider of education to children who have complex needs.”
Photo (l-r): Max Kenkel and Chris Jones (ITA Group) with Justin Bowser, Marlon Bowser and Mark Ledger (HTK).
New hire at busy corporate finance team
After a successful 2022, Forward Corporate Finance has appointed Amy Hochuli to its team as corporate finance analyst. She has a 1st class degree in accounting & finance from University of South Australia and joins from Equals Money, a publicly-listed payments fintech where she began a chartered accountancy qualification while gaining experience working in different areas. Looking for a new challenge and a more client-facing role led her to join Forward and while she finishes her accountancy exams, she’ll be working on projects and meeting clients. Director Sarah Moores said: “After another good year we felt the time was right to grow the team again to ensure we can maintain the quality of the service we provide to our clients.”
Director Rob Dukelow-Smith added: “We are a small team and growing is all about finding the right skills and personality. With Amy we feel we have someone who is keen to learn and grow with us, and we look forward to introducing her to our clients.” Last year was another busy year for Forward with business sales for FG Curtis, EOL It Services and Touchdown PR, management buyout for HTG and EuroResin, and acquisition support for Functional Gut Clinic among others.
Photo: The Forward Corporate Finance team.
See Profile Forward Corporate Finance
Senior associate elected president of professional society
Amanda Timcke, senior associate in the commercial property team at Birketts, has been elected as president of the Suffolk and North Essex Law Society. She becomes the 87th president and the sixth woman elected to the role in its almost 100 year history. She will become the main representative for the society in Suffolk and North Essex, attending key county and national events and acting as a voice of solicitors in the region when communicating with the Law Society. Amanda Timcke (right) said: “…As well as playing a part in pushing forward initiatives that will further the interests of our members, I am looking forward to utilising my position to encourage and support others into the profession.”
In brief…
Director joins board of freight industry body
Jenna Morgan, commercial director of Wallis Shipping in Colchester has joined the board of directors of the British International Freight Association. The board oversees the strategic direction of the trade association, which represents UK-registered companies in the international movement of freight by all transport modes, as well as ancillary services such as customs brokerage. Jenna Morgan (photo, right) said: “To represent our company in our industry body is a career-high for me. With so much change currently happening in logistics, what with Brexit and higher shipping and fuel costs, driver shortages, strikes, and environmental challenges, it is great to have an input into policy making that can positively affect and help all our members in the industry.” She added: “Wallis is having a great year, from launching our environmental manifesto, celebrating 35 years in business and receiving our 25th ISO accreditation for quality – the board position is the icing on the cake.” Jenna Morgan was named Young Freight Forwarder of the Year in the 2020 BIFA Freight Service awards.
How to use the virtual economy to maximise growth
Using the virtual economy to unlock human potential and maximise business growth will be the theme of accountancy firm Larking Gowen’s Spring business breakfast on 7th March in Ipswich. Alison Alexander, co-founder, COO and director of ethics at Metacampus will explain how Web3 is the fourth industrial revolution and provide valuable insights into how it will impact businesses. She will look at how businesses are preparing for a future where individuals use blockchain technology to manage their identity and assets, conduct transactions with digital assets, and engage in the trillion-dollar metaverse industry when shopping, travelling, socialising and working. Tickets are £30 for the event at Milsoms, Kesgrave Hall and registration opens at 7.15 am. Bookings can be made here
Cambridge group completes $24 million fund-raising
Cambridge-based Evonetix, a biotech company bringing semiconductor technology to DNA synthesis, has completed a $24 million financing round, extending its total series B funding to over $54 million (£44 million) in a fundraising led by existing investor Foresite Capital. The investment will enable the continued development of Evonetix’s semiconductor chips to commercial scale, and the extension of its gene assembly capabilities.
Opportunities to ‘learn and earn’ in the spotlight during National Apprenticeship Week (February 6th-12th)…..
Ports group launches apprenticeship programme for maritime and logistics sector
Associated British Ports, which owns and operates the ports of Ipswich, King’s Lynn and Lowestoft, is marking National Apprenticeship Week, with the launch of recruitment for its apprenticeship programme for the maritime and logistics industry. Apprenticeships on offer, cover a range of specialisms, including IT, marine, engineering, pilotage, commercial and business administration and will be split across the group’s locations, including the Humber, East Anglia, Southampton and South Wales. ABP is Britain’s largest ports group with 21 ports around the country supporting around 119,000 jobs across its supply chain. Kerry Thompson, head of ABP Academy, said: “Apprenticeships offer a fantastic opportunity to combine learning on the job with earning an income, which in the current economic climate is an especially appealing prospect for job seekers. The closing date for applications is Sunday, 5th March 2023.
Apprentices at property & construction consultancy highlight practical route into employment
Apprentices at property and construction consultancy Ingleton Wood are calling on young people and those considering a career change to learn more about practical routes into employment. During National Apprenticeship Week when the theme is ‘skills for life’, the consultancy is reopening its recruitment programme with a goal to recruit seven budding architects, engineers and surveyors for September. Ingleton Wood’s apprentices benefit from a blended learning approach in association with London South Bank University, Anglia Ruskin University, Colchester Institute and LearnTech. Apprentices study while working part-time without having to pay tuition fees, earning a qualification equivalent to a degree. Holly Sutherland, apprenticeship coordinator, said: “At Ingleton Wood we are passionate about introducing new talent to the world of construction, and National Apprenticeship Week is the perfect opportunity to highlight the incredible work our apprentices do all year round.”
Colchester-based Kai Filbert joined Ingleton Wood in September 2021 on a four-year Level 6 architectural assistant apprenticeship. Je said: “My apprenticeship offers me so many opportunities to learn and develop. I support the design team on their work from drawing plans and 3D modelling to completing site visits and surveys – no two days are the same.”
Apprenticeship places on offer at Cambridge Company
Cambridge company Domino Printing is recognising National Apprenticeship Week by paying tribute to its own apprentices – and launching its 2023 scheme. The company is offering five places for apprentices at its Bar Hill headquarters: four in R&D and one in digital printing. Applications are open until 28th February to start in September. Since the Scheme started in 2016, 31 recruits have benefited from Domino’s structured programme which offers experience in the workplace combined with developing academic and vocational skills. Mark Gearing, print system director, group R&D said: “The scheme benefits not only the apprentices in terms of ‘earning whilst learning’ and practical experience but also Domino as a business. It enables us to develop employees who embrace our values and culture, as well as help address succession planning and filling vacant roles.” The Domino Apprenticeship Scheme for 2023 is open for applications until 28th February.
Photo: Alex Hanzi, a Domino engineering and manufacturing technician recently named the most outstanding apprentice by his peers with Mark Gearing, print system director, group R&D.
‘Dream role’ for apprentice at alt-net provider
County Broadband, a fast-growing alternative network provider based near Colchester, is marking National Apprenticeship Week by highlighting the impact of its apprentices – including an American former lifeguard who has found her “dream” role with a data analytics apprenticeship. Elisa Ricketts, 38, (right) originally from Vancouver, Washington, USA, is studying towards a level 4 data analyst apprenticeship. With a diverse background, she started the programme in September 2022 having joined County Broadband as a customer service connections agent in November 2020. Last month she was promoted to junior data quality analyst, based in the firm’s business information systems & technology team. She said: “I really wanted to learn all there was to learn to be a data analyst. However, university education for me would be expensive but I wanted something to prove that I had this knowledge. Taking on the apprenticeship gave me the best of both worlds: I can work and learn at the same time. Once I learn something, I’m then able to apply it to my everyday tasks and ingrain it into my head.”
Edward Ring, training manager at County Broadband, said apprenticeships have now become “established, viable and desirable” qualifications for people of all ages and backgrounds. He said: “Elisa is a perfect example of someone using their varied background and skills to launch a new career via the apprenticeship route – showcasing it’s not just ideal for local school or college leavers, but also for experienced individuals with a diverse background seeking a new challenge.”
