ACR Journal

CMYK / .ai CMYK / .ai CMYK / .ai acrjournal.uk 21 REFRIGERATION highly skilled, highly capable apprentices into our next senior industrial engineer, but also our next design, business development or project manager. We want to develop individuals into those future roles, it’s a build rather than buy strategy. The beauty of it is that it will constantly evolve, each apprentice’s development will be tailored.” Competencies development One area SURE feels is often overlooked is the softer side of development and Craig has looked to his previous experience as a management graduate at BP to provide inspiration. He said: “One of the big parts of the development I experienced on the graduate programme was in competency-based learning and training. We’ve brought the best elements of that into our programme. We look to focus not only on technical skills, but also common competencies that can apply to various roles such as analytics or commercial skills. Thirdly, we look at behavioural competency. This is the how to complement the what. It’s something that can be overlooked, especially in technical roles. Overall, we’re looking to develop well rounded professionals, and this is a big step in doing that.” “Development Days” will be a big part of the programme going forward. In taking the apprentices away from their day job to focus on various areas such as automation, design and wider business understanding, the ambition is that it will enable a broader perspective on the apprentices learning and development. Once restrictions start to lift, SURE will be focusing on this area and combining those external growth opportunities with social development in schools and volunteering. Business Operations apprentice Olivia Sherlock said: “A large part of choosing SURE when looking for an apprenticeship was the focus on softer skills, the structure and the numerous potential career options it would open up in future. I feel very supported in having a positive environment to learn, make mistakes and develop my future career.” One eye on the future Craig added: “Our apprenticeship programme is something we are very passionate about and very proud of. We have been in the fortunate position to continue hiring through the Covid crisis. It was a decision we had to come to, but we’re focusing on the long term and this is a big part of our strategy. “The plan for the future is to try and get in front of students where possible. We’re aware there’s work to be done in bringing greater diversity into the industry, and that starts with positive influencing at the point of making a career decision. We want to ensure that RACHP careers are promoted as a viable option so when it is safe to do so, we’ll be taking the programme into the classroom.” Suresol .co.uk Jessica Long, Business Operations Apprentice, analysing performance of SURE’s solar panel installation Apprentice Engineer Kieran Sherlock with Senior Industrial Engineer Andy Gillies SURE Solutions.indd 21 03/12/2020 11:52