Camden Employer Case Studies Page

Sam – Young Camden Foundation Read more

Sam Speer, Partnerships Development and Grants Manager talks about the ways in which recruiting an apprentice to Young Camden Foundation has introduced a fresh perspective and increased productivity.

Why were you interested in using Camden Apprenticeships recruitment service?

Sam Speer is a Partnership Development and Grants Manager at Young Camden Foundation. Sam was interested in recruiting an apprentice because as a place-based charity embedded in the local community, Sam expressed that it is vitally important for Young Camden Foundation to hire local individuals who possess expert knowledge of the borough and firsthand experience of growing up and attending school in Camden. Sam explains that as a small organisation, they face challenges in specifically recruiting locally and accessing a talented pool of local residents. This is why Young Camden Foundation wanted to utilise the apprenticeship service, to help them to recruit locally and tap into this valuable resource.

What has been the benefit of recruiting apprentices to your organisation?

When looking for an apprentice, Sam says that they prioritised authenticity and honesty as key traits for the role. Additionally, they sought someone with a keen eye for detail and a genuine interest in what they aim to achieve at YCF. It was important for them to find an individual who could align with their mission and bring a fresh, sincere perspective to their work. These qualities are essential for fostering a collaborative and innovative environment within the organisation.

Sam strongly believes that recruiting apprentices has brought significant benefits to their organisation. Touching on their experience with their apprentice, Sam says: “Beyond her daily responsibilities, Shannon's apprenticeship journey has sparked a culture of continuous improvement within our team. Her fresh perspective and ongoing learning have allowed us to re-evaluate and strengthen our internal processes. As a result, we now operate more efficiently and effectively than ever before. Shannon's contributions have not only enhanced our productivity but also fostered an environment of innovation and growth.”

Have any former apprentices now joined your team on a permanent basis?

Since finishing her apprenticeship, Sam tells us that their apprentice has now joined the team on a full-time and permanent basis.

Do you think it is important for organisations to continue providing Camden residents with apprenticeship opportunities like this? If so, why?

When asked if they think it is important for organisations to continue providing Camden residents with apprenticeship opportunities like this, Sam replied: “Yes, it is crucial for organisations to continue providing Camden residents with apprenticeship opportunities. Creating apprenticeship opportunities is vital for the broader community. By investing in apprenticeships, we nurture local talent, provide essential skills, and create pathways to meaningful employment. Apprenticeships help individuals unlock their potential and pursue their dreams, addressing skills and opportunity gaps.

Our experience with Shannon, our Operations Administration Apprentice, has shown how apprenticeships can enrich our operations and foster a culture of continuous improvement. Apprenticeships are essential for fostering the next generation's success and ensuring a brighter future for Camden.”

Celia – The Airey Miller Group Read more

Celia Esmaje is a Partner at Residential Construction Consultancy Airey Miller. She describes how working with Camden’s apprenticeships team to recruit an apprentice from the community has strengthened ties with the Council and unlocked local talent.

As a major local buyer of services and goods, Camden is focused on making use of its procurement processes to achieve positive outcomes for its residents, businesses, and communities. To this end, Camden Apprenticeships team has formed partnerships with Council suppliers to identify recruitment opportunities that benefit local people.

Residential construction consultancy service Airey Miller has embraced local apprenticeship recruitment as part of their social value commitment. In 2023 the company worked with Camden Apprenticeships team to develop a Project Administration role. Partner Celia Esmaje describes how ‘the support of the apprenticeship recruitment service was crucial. We found that they made the onboarding process really straightforward,’.

The company recognises that embedding apprentices with the workforce helps with succession planning, enabling knowledge and experience to be passed on. Celia explains ‘It helps with employee retention, as apprentices become familiar with the processes and systems within the organisation, making it easier for them to transition from the apprenticeship to available roles. They bring diversity, fresh ideas and new perspectives to project teams, as all previous knowledge and skills can be transferable and are important.’

Airey Miller’s approach shows a willingness to take an active role in the economic growth and stability of the borough, working collaboratively with Camden Council to ensure their offer aligns with the needs of local residents. Celia recognises the power and influence of large companies to unlock potential. ‘It provides another pathway to help residents into employment, especially residents who are disadvantaged and/or younger. More traditional routes of recruitment and selection may not be appropriate or they don’t open doors due to inexperience, or a lack of knowledge for example. The support the apprenticeship offers to help them thrive and follow through to completion is invaluable.’

This collaborative approach to community investment brings mutual benefit to residents and employers, and strengthens ties with the Council. If you’re interested in finding more about how your organisation could benefit, contact Camden Apprenticeships: apprenticeships@camden.gov.uk or call 02079748778.

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