Module 5: KEYS TO SUCCESS Practical Tools and Resources for SME’s Apprenticeships in Action This programme has been funded with support from the European Commission www.apprenticeshipalliances.eu 

The Marketing Mix This module brings together key learning resources that will add to the success of an SME taking on their first employee. It augments the key learning in Modules 1 -4 through …. 1 Video Library of Resources 2 Regional Apprenticeship Alliance Toolkit 3 Case Studies and Testimonials 4 SME Apprenticeship Templates and Resources It will also assist business advisors, trainers and coaches to guide SMEs. "The European Commission support for the production of does not constitute an endorsement of the contents which reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein." 

1 Video Library of Learning Our SME video library of learning is a powerful resource packed with practical tips to help business owners to learn all they need to know about getting started with apprenticeships. Link to our Library of Learning: www.youtube.com/channel/UCbUKo-BgIr8Nzy21apqbgHg 

Structure of our Library of Learning Video resources are organised into playlists in order to make the library user friendly and searchable by topic/country. For example: If an SME owner is unsure about the benefits of apprentices and how they can work for their business, they can consult our Apprentices – what do employers say? Playlist where they can hear from a multitude of business owners as they share their stories and experience of using apprenticeships to grow their work force and their businesses. If a SME in the UK requires more country specific information, they can consult our dedicated playlist (UK – Getting started with Apprenticeships) with information, tips and resources specifically related to get started with apprenticeships in the UK. A playlist is also available for Ireland, Spain, Poland and the Netherlands. 

2 Regional Apprenticeship Alliance Toolkit This Regional Apprenticeship Alliances Toolkit is designed to build the capacity for business development agencies to create and operate support structures which facilitate and support SMEs to become apprentice employers. The toolkit is a step by step guide which enables partnerships to be formed. Trailed and tested in 6 regions across Europe, this practical tool shares best practice and replicable model for SME Apprenticeship Support which can be easily replicated. What tasks are the Regional Apprenticeship Alliances working to achieve: • map current apprenticeship programmes, incentives, support structures, actors, and levels of SME participation in their region • identify opportunities and needs particular to the skills (mis)match and supply-demand of apprenticeships in their region • share best practice locally and internationally about the role of intermediary organisations • develop the ‘business case’ to encourage SMEs to become apprentice employers • build sustainable face-to-face relationships between intermediaries, VET providers and SMEs • develop a concrete action plan with individual and collective commitments in a defined time frame 

3 Case Studies and Testimonials Margaret Reilly – Grand Designs Kitchens, Drogheda, Ireland When Margaret set up her own business in 2010 on the back of the recession, she quickly became involved in training apprentices. A huge advocate of the apprenticeship system, Margaret herself trained as an apprentice and understands the benefits from both an employer and apprentice point of view. Watch video here: https://youtu.be/Pil82aKU2PY ___________________________________________________________________________ David Irvine apprentice with Fujitsu, Northern Ireland In this video, we hear from David Irvine, an apprentice with Fujitsu and student at Belfast Met, who has had a great experience as an apprentice. Watch video here - www.youtube.com/watch?v=NL3IAkBK0ns Louise Hull, NI Fujitsu Apprentice Programme Manager explains their role as an apprentice employer. “We work collaboratively with Belfast MET to deliver an apprenticeship programme which equips students with the latest knowledge and key insights on ICT trends and advancements. This, coupled with the hands-on, practical experience gained through working in Fujistu, ensures that our apprentices are ready for a career in the fast-paced world of ICT. 

While nurturing and supporting the next generation of ICT leaders is important to Fijutsu, the apprenticeship programme is a two-way learning process. They benefit from an industry leading expertise, and we benefit from their fresh perspective.” Paul Hamill, Head of HR, Kainos 'Kainos has provided young people through the Apprenticeships programme with the opportunity to develop skills, achieve qualifications and enhance their career prospects in a stimulating IT environment. The programme has helped us train and develop the apprentices we need for the longterm success of our business. Our apprentices add to our organisation making it more effective, competent and competitive by addressing our skills gaps directly.' Joe O’Mahony, NIE Managing Director, Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) Many of our apprentices have attained additional skills, over and above their normal job roles. This has led to a multi-skilled workforce enabling NIE to improve productivity and business efficiency, meet government and regulatory targets and deliver business benefits to the company. A number of our senior managers started their career as apprentices proving that an apprenticeship provides an excellent platform for individuals to develop their career to the maximum potential.” Bill Cherry, Manager Director, Fusion Heating Ltd ‘As a Small, Medium Enterprise business we need to be able to exploit all market sectors and our apprentices, working through the Apprenticeships programme, are a vital part of the team in this regard.’ Peter Dixon, Group Chief Executive, Phoenix Gas 

‘The Apprenticeships programme has helped us train and develop the apprentices we need for the long-term success of our business. Our apprentices add to our organisation making it more effective, competent, productive and competitive by addressing our skills gaps directly.’ Paul Terrington, Regional Chairman of PwC in Northern Ireland 'In 2012, we took the lead piloting the Professional Services Higher Level Apprenticeships alongside our more usual graduate recruitment and the results have been remarkably successful. The standard of applicant has been high and they have excelled in a challenging and demanding work environment, so we are now accelerating our Higher Apprenticeship recruitment through our school-leaver entry programme. Apprentices earn while they learn, gain an internationally recognised professional qualification in less time than it takes to graduate from university and have a lifetime career opportunity within the global PwC network.' Case studies provide by NI Department for the Economy and https://www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/content/company-testimonies-apprenticeships David Recart, EEGGER, France EEGGER is a wood company which employs 800 people just in France. They manufacture wooden panels for decorative purposes. They employ about 20 apprentices all the time. They recruit 4 apprentices every year to train them over the 3 years of the “Bac Pro”. These apprentices are between 15 and 18 years old. The aim is to employ these apprentices full time at the end of the 3 years as they are fully qualified. Testimony: David is an ex-apprentice who mentors now the 4 new apprentices every year. Watch video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNr_FtdXA_g ___________________________________________________________________________ 

4 SME Apprenticeship Templates and Resources We have developed a series of templates and resources to assist the SME in taking on their first apprentice. Please download and edit for your own use. 1. Company Introduction Template A useful template for SME’s – use it to help your apprentice get to know a little more about your company. 2. SME Apprenticeship Induction Presentation Template A useful template for SME’s – use it to help your apprentice get to know more about your vision for the new apprenticeship programme in your company. 

3. Employee Learning Plan Template SME’s can empower apprenticeships and employees by creating and enabling them to create their own Personal Learning Plans. The Personal Learning Plan is a document between employee and supervisor that captures the professional and personal learning goals of the employee, aligns them with organisational needs and priorities, identifies the necessary steps and resources, and forms a plan to achieve those goals over the coming year(s). We have created a template to help SME’s get started with Learning Plans. 4. Apprentice Evaluation Template Ongoing assessment of your apprentice’s competence is essential to the success of their development as a trained member of your team and also to the success as your development as an apprentice employer. Our simple one-page apprentice evaluation template is an easy starting point to get you in assessment mode, use it weekly to capture your apprentices learning and competency achievements. 

5. SME Workforce Plan Workforce planning is a process used to align SME workforce capability to meet the evolving needs of the business. It is very useful when planning to recruit and engage apprentices in terms of the broader company development plans. It is a forward-looking process typically focused on assessing the workforce over a three to five year period. The workforce plan is a living document that is updated regularly (usually annually) and adjusted as changes in business needs or the workforce occur. Use our template at the start and again at the end of your apprentice programme design process to help gauge your staffing needs.