Architects Benefit From Apprenticeship Reforms With The Sheffield College
2nd October 2017
A leading Sheffield architects firm is benefiting from the latest apprenticeship reforms to support business growth.
Bond Bryan Architects, on Springvale Road Road, Crookes, has just taken on its first apprentice 19-year-old Olivia Eades from The Sheffield College. The move follows the new national apprenticeship reforms for large employers introduced by the government earlier this year. The company, which has 125 staff at four offices nationally with 75 employees based in Sheffield, specialises in architecture for the education sector including universities, colleges and school, and is committed to recruiting more apprentices in future. Matt Green, Finance Manager, Bond Bryan Architects, said: -We see the new apprenticeship levy as an opportunity to invest in our future. We need new talent coming through - people with good communications skills who are keen to learn and show initiative and we want to mould the next generation to our business needs. He added: -That's why we're really pleased to have recruited our first apprentice, with support from The Sheffield College, into a business support role. Business support staff are the cement between the bricks at Bond Bryan; they need to be well rounded covering accounting, administration and human resources related tasks so that our architects devote all of their time to the client work. Olivia Eades chose to start an accounting apprenticeship with Bond Bryan this summer because she wanted to get a head start on a career. She spends four days a week learning in the workplace and one day studying at the College. Olivia said: -I'm keen to get on with my career, and I'm really interested in the business side of the company. I love coming into work, and I've settled in quickly. Everyone's made me feel very welcome. It also feels great to earn as I learn. The way that the government funds apprenticeships changed earlier this year. An apprenticeship levy was introduced in April 2017 for all public and private sector employers with a pay bill of more than £3 million a year. Apprenticeships are becoming a career choice for young people, with opportunities in business accounting, administration, creative and digital production, finance, legal services and lab technology as well as many other sectors. Andrew Hartley, Commercial Director, The Sheffield College, said: -Recruiting their first apprentice is a major milestone for Bond Bryan Architects, and the College is delighted to be part of that success. Apprenticeships are a great way of growing your business, developing new talent and addressing skills shortages. We are committed to ensuring more employers benefit from apprenticeships to boost growth and employment in Sheffield City Region. The College which has a £321 million economic impact on the city annually - works with 850 employers to deliver apprenticeship programmes in a wide range of industry sectors for more than 2,000 apprentices. To find out how your business could benefit from apprenticeships, visit http://www.sheffcol.ac.uk/employers or call 0114 260 2600.