KC Takes on Apprentices to Invest in Local Young Talent

Local phone and broadband provider KC has set eight young people on the road to careers by giving them apprenticeships at the company.

The apprentices have begun working for KC in a variety of roles including engineering, data and systems analysis, publishing production and marketing.

KC has employed the young people from Hull and the East Riding as part of the its ongoing commitment to investing in the local community, and will supports them to develop their careers and become fully trained and qualified in the roles they have taken on.

To ensure the apprentices’ training is as structured and well-supported as possible, KC has teamed up with Yorkshire and Humber Apprentice Training Agency (YHATA) to develop bespoke learning programmes for each apprentice.

YHATA, a newly-formed government-funded organisation, operates as a recruitment agency for apprentices, and selects, assesses and shortlists candidates for each role. KC made the final choice for each apprenticeship post, and YHATA will continue to manage and monitor each young person’s training and development.

Through this process KC has employed four apprentice field engineers, one apprentice support engineer, one apprentice systems and data analyst, one publishing production apprentice and one marketing apprentice.

Helen Roberts, KC HR Director, said KC was committed to working with the local community, particularly helping young people to become qualified and skilled employees.

She said: “It’s vital that businesses invest in local people and keep talent and skills in East Yorkshire. With the increase in competition for graduate jobs, it has become more important than ever to offer viable and credible alternatives to university, and to support young people to develop the skills and experience that will benefit them, our business and the local economy.

“The ongoing training and support offered by YHATA will complement the industry experience and positive environment provided by KC.”

Jo Lomax, director of YHATA, said the organisation had adapted existing learning frameworks to respond to KC’s specific and varied requirements.

She said: “The learning framework has to be relevant to employers, so we worked closely with KC in order to source the appropriate courses for their apprentices. We provide a highly complex, bespoke service, because when a business and an apprentice both trust us to work for them, we have to get it right first time.

“It is particularly exciting to be able to help KC in its role as a local employer with a strong focus on working with the local community. Together, we’re helping to keep skills in the local area and increase genuine career opportunities for young people, which is great news for everyone!”

Picture: Lee Wahlers from Beverley, one of the new KC Apprentices