Paula Leathem is Head of Human Resources at NIE Networks. She explains how Workplus offers more than apprentice recruitment, it plays a key role in NIE Network’s early talent growth and culture, getting new pathways off the ground and enabling strategic connections.
Business leader Ron Kaufman once said, “Vision with action makes a powerful reality”. It’s a great quote and one that we can relate to at NIE Networks as we’ve sought to grow our early talent culture through strategic initiatives. Our reality – that is, our successes in growing our apprenticeship culture – has not been done in isolation. Our partnership with Workplus has been pivotal in us remaining ahead of the curve in apprenticeship recruitment and early talent development.
Workplus’ knowledge and connections enrich our business
For us at NIE Networks, Workplus is much more than simply apprenticeship recruitment. Our partnership with Workplus has been instrumental in growing the early talent culture in our business and opening up new innovative pathways.
Any HR professional will know that you can’t be everything for your organisation – that to deliver and build resilience and bench strength it’s important to develop and lean into the right partnerships – ones that have a deep knowledge of the skills landscape coupled with the agility and flexibility to change things.
Having an external organisation that knows us well, appreciates how we work, understands where our gaps are and can connect us with relevant partners has been instrumental to our ongoing success.
Workplus is about supporting the ‘nuts and bolts’ of early talent
For example, over the last two years, Workplus has been pivotal in connecting us with the Data Analytics Assured Skills Academy and has worked with us (and others) to spearhead an entry level Utilities programme as well as a Planning Academy apprenticeship. We’ve found great people through these pathways who are now valued employees at NIE Networks.
Most large organisations will have pockets of the business where it can be hard to get the right people with the right skills at the right time. The Planning Academy has been key for us – planning was an area where we struggled to get people, so we partnered with Workplus (who in turn liaised with Northern Regional College) to create and launch a Planning Academy.
I wouldn’t have had the time, capacity or expertise to do this, so it was crucial to have Workplus involved and working on our behalf. As a result of this we are building our own future capacity.
Such has been the success of the Planning Academy, that we’re doing it all again this year.
Collaboration with Workplus has brought many benefits
We value the many benefits that comes with being a member of Workplus. As an employer, we’re plugged into their expertise, wider knowledge pool as well as the many links and partnerships that Workplus has.
Workplus brings like–minded employers together to allow us all to share and learn from each other. You get the lightbulb moments through collaboration and it’s always useful and insightful to get together with employers who share a passion for early talent.
There is also a social responsibility piece in our partnership with Workplus – there are other organisations that don’t have the resources that we have. How can we help them develop early talent? Workplus is pivotal in this for us. For example, the entry–level Utilities programme – that was about us helping smaller companies and sub–contractors.
The coordinated approach works for everyone – we’re part of a better way
Workplus has built an awareness base around apprentice recruitment with clear timelines – Jan/Feb and August. The ability for applicants to come to one place, one platform and one easy application makes the whole system better and we’re pleased to be part of that easier way for aspiring apprentices.
As an employer, we also like Workplus’ skills assessment piece – it’s helpful in guiding and supporting applicants.
Why apprenticeships are a personal passion
The skills landscape has changed markedly over the last year few years. The skills that we need today aren’t necessarily there so how do we get them? We bring them in, we grow and develop them. I’m personally passionate about this because that was my journey.
Starting from scratch does require more work at the outset but if you invest in people, they invest in you. Apprenticeships tend to encourage employee loyalty and longevity.
As I reflect on all our achievements in early talent over the years, Workplus has played a key role in many of our successes. As we look to the future – and continue to match vision with action – we know that knowledge, partnership and collaboration will be central to our work. That’s a powerful reality!