Tag Archive: Merton Business Awards Apprentice

1. White Light Takes On New Apprentice Cohort

   28 October 2019 11:34 Leave a Comment

   

   White Light has recently taken on its latest batch of apprentices; following a year in which the company received two separate awards for its apprenticeship scheme.

   As a company, WL is passionate about developing the next generation of talent. Since 2011, WL has overseen 57 apprenticeships, with all of those who have completed the course going on to work in the industry. The company has recently taken on four brand-new apprentices: George Ploog, Azaldean Mohammed, Charlie Russell-Teare and Jack Bass. All four started last month and will be undertaking the Creative Venue Technician Standard which WL helped create as a member of the trailblazer group.  

   WL’s Health & Safety and Workforce Development Director Chris Nicholls comments: “We’re really excited by this latest cohort. They’re a great bunch who all embody the WL values and have a strong desire to learn. They are also slightly older than previous cohorts as we are now able to offer apprenticeships to  people over 25. This means more opportunities for a wider group of people; something we’ve been able to offer for the first time this year”.

   The apprentices all came through via the annual Recruitment Day, during which time they met the WL team, spoke with the various technicians and underwent a range of practical tests. Following this, Chris and his team decided on the four most suitable candidates. All four have already been inducted by the National College of Creative Industries and started their rotations in WL’s technical workshops, as well as undergoing Manual Handling training. Over the next 18 months, they will continue to rotate through the company’s various departments and in its managed venues as well as working on-site on a range of different projects, before conducting their end point assessment. 

   

   One of this year’s successful candidates actually heard about the apprenticeship through another development scheme that WL supports. Chris explains: “Azaldean took part in the Kiln Theatre’s Production Arts Course which aims to diversify backstage roles in theatre. Our Managing Director Bryan Raven was heavily involved in the scheme, giving talks and presentations as well as offering a tour of WL. One of those who attended that tour was Azaldean who subsequently applied for the apprenticeship”.

   Azaldean comments: “I had been looking for a way to enter the industry for about a year now. The main thing for me is that I want to be gaining practical experience while learning. So when I heard Bryan talk about the apprenticeship, I just applied and was fortunate enough to be selected”.

   In a similar vein, Charlie undertook work experience at WL’s warehouse, which encouraged him to apply for the apprenticeship. He comments: “I was always interested in lighting but wasn’t aware you could get any official qualifications. My dad told me about WL so I applied to do some work experience. Once I was there, I heard about the apprenticeship and decided to just go for it”.

   Chris adds: “As a company, it’s not just about people coming through via the ‘traditional’ routes – it’s about us ensuring the right candidates receive the right opportunities they need to flourish”.

   

   This year’s four apprentices follow in the footsteps of the 2018 cohort who have almost completed their 18 months’ worth of training and are busy putting their developed skills to practice. Chris explains: “In terms of the previous group, Alfie and Sophie have now completed their placements. Sophie spent time at the Roundhouse and Alfie worked on The Crown for Netflix where he experienced life as part of a television production team.  Dan has begun a month at the London Coliseum and Nathan will soon be at the Hornchurch Theatre in Essex whilst they gear up for panto season”.

   This year marks a particularly significant one for WL’s apprentice scheme. Not only did the company win Employer of the Year at the Creative and Cultural Skills Awards but also won the Merton Best Business Awards Apprentice of the Year Award for Dominic Devereux. The cohort that Dominic was a part of (2017) are all still working at the company, in a variety of roles from Site Technician to Production Coordinator.

   Chris concludes: “Our apprentice scheme has two aims: to equip the next generation with the practical skills they need as well as ensure they have a prospective career path by the time they leave. The fact that 8% of our current workforce consists of previous apprentices shows just how successful the scheme is and how the programme allows them to progress within the industry. We are really excited to be working with the latest intake and seeing where their apprenticeships take them”.

2. WL Wins Apprentice of the Year at the Merton Business Awards

   28 September 2019 13:45 Leave a Comment

   

   We are delighted to announce that we have won the Merton Best Business Awards’ Apprentice of the Year after nominating Dominic Devereux.

   The Merton Best Business Awards recognise and promote excellence, innovation and best practice in Merton. They have been running for over seven years and feature categories such as Best Employer (which WL won in 2018), Best New Business, Entrepreneur of the Year and Best Apprentice of the Year.

   For Best Apprentice of the Year, WL put forward Dominic Devereux who started at the company just over two years ago at the age of 17. WL’s Health & Safety and Workforce Development Director Chris Nicholls comments: “One of the main reasons we initially took Dominic on was his enthusiasm. From the moment he arrived at WL for the Apprentice Open Day, we could see how eager he was to get involved and learn as much as he could; one of the most important attributes we look for in any apprentice”.

   Dominic was part of an initial cohort who undertook the first-ever Creative Venue Technician Apprenticeship. Since then, Dominic has completely thrown himself into the company and instantly became ‘one of the team’. Displaying maturity beyond his years, he’s being part of a range of projects during his time here, often during extremely unsociable hours, and has received exceptional feedback for every event he’s worked on.

   

   Chris states: “The projects Dom has worked on include the annual servicing at Westfield, a placement at VAULT Festival, building our stand at the PLASA Show, undertaking a four-week placement at Rose Bruford College as part of a student exchange as well as numerous conferences and awards ceremonies at Central Hall Westminster, where we are the in-house Production Partner. All of these jobs were with important clients and required very different disciplines and specific approaches – all of which Dom has learned and developed during his time here. Our staff have been so impressed by his can-do attitude that he has actually been offered a full-time position within the Technical Service department”.

   The Merton Best Business Awards took place on 26th September at the All England Tennis Club, Wimbledon.

   Dominic comments: “WL has been very supportive of me as an apprentice, offering insightful training courses as well as practical experience in a wide array of different situations. I really enjoyed the initial rotational schedule which enabled me to work within each of the various departments and offer me great experience, as well as help hone my interests. I now look forward to continuing the next chapter in my career with the company”.

   Chris concludes: “We are all extremely proud of Dom and the fact that he’s received this recognition. As a company, we are dedicated to nurturing the next generation and equipping them with the skills and experience needed to succeed. Having already been awarded Employer of the Year at the CC Skills Awards earlier this year, we’re delighted that the wider industry has once again recognised our commitment to apprentices and the value they bring to the sector”.