How to get an Apprenticeship scheme with igus®
igus® helping build the future of engineering
Apprenticeship schemes have flourished in the last couple of years, even during the pandemic, and given the opportunities provided, it is obvious to see why.
What is an apprenticeship scheme?
“An Apprenticeship is a real job where you learn, gain experience and get paid:” (quote from gov.uk)
The sentence above says it all, as one of our latest apprentices says, “I earn while I learn”. When looking at becoming an apprentice, you have to find suitable employment that will allow you to develop skills that complement the college course you are wanting to embark on. The two have to fit together, so finding the right employer as well as the right course is crucial. As an apprentice you learn and gain valuable knowledge and skills that allow you to further your career. It also allows an insight into potential avenues that you might want to pursue as a career further down the line.
What does an apprenticeship scheme at igus® look like?
At igus® we have had several apprenticeship schemes in place for many years. For us, it is important to encourage the apprenticeship programme as it nurtures the younger generation and allows them to grow whilst giving them independence. Having the ability to learn and get paid gives apprentices the best of both worlds.
At igus® we have apprenticeship schemes across all areas of the business:
- Finance
- Marketing
- Customer service
- Sales
- Engineering
- Purchasing
- Factory
Many apprentices complete their course and start another one. Some have completed their course and been promoted within the company.
What are the benefits of apprenticeship schemes at igus®?
All apprentices who join igus® have the same benefits as everyone else employed within the company. Benefits such as:
- Breakfast and lunch provided onsite
- Continuous training and support
- Subsidised optical care and flu jabs
- Free onsite parking
- Team building activities
The scope for progression within igus®, once the apprenticeship scheme has been completed, is vast. Gemma Finch is now a full-time employee at igus®.
“Following a career change, I joined the HR team at igus® in 2018 as an Apprentice and began working towards my Business Administration Level 3 qualification. Upon completing this, I moved on to work towards my HR CIPD Level 3 qualification. Once I became HR qualified and completed both apprenticeships, I joined the igus® team as a permanent team member. I am currently studying towards my HR CIPD Level 5 qualification in my own time, which igus is supporting me with. I love how much igus® has aided my development and how much they have enabled me to grow in such a short space of time.”
At igus® you can also start at NTQ level 2 and keep progressing to degree level. This allows you to gain a degree without racking up thousands of pounds of university fees.
How does igus® recruit apprentices through the apprenticeship scheme?
We work closely with the local University and attend recruitment fairs and exhibitions regularly.
We also have a strong relationship with Starting off, an established training company which specialises in helping connect Apprentices and employers. This helps establish the best fit for both parties and has successfully placed approximately ten apprentices with igus® in the last few years.
We currently have various apprenticeship positions available across the company, so for more information either contact Leila Clift lclift@igus.co.uk or visit this page for more details: https://www.igus.co.uk/info/company-jobs-gb. We also have some short progression stories which we started late last year. These highlight the journeys that some of the employees have had through their igus® careers. You can read these here: https://blog.igus.co.uk/?s=progression and make sure you keep an eye on the blog as more stories are coming!