REC Celebrates 1,000th Apprentice in Recruitment

Coinciding with National Apprenticeship Week (6-10 March), the Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC) has announced that Danielle Blanchard is the 1000th person to undertake a recruitment apprenticeship. The apprenticeship programme was launched in 2013 through the REC’s Institute of Recruitment Professionals (IRP).

National Apprenticeship Week is co-ordinated by the National Apprenticeship Service to celebrate apprenticeships and the positive impact they have on individuals, businesses and the wider economy.

REC chief executive Kevin Green says:

“We’re delighted to celebrate National Apprenticeship Week knowing that more and more of our members are offering people opportunities to pursue recruitment as their career. Apprenticeships in recruitment are helping to professionalise our industry and we can be proud that we’re doing our bit towards helping people join an industry that transforms lives. 

“The recruitment industry has over 100,000 people working in it and is growing every year, so attracting and retaining talent is vital to our members. If they keep investing in people, not only will their business succeed but the whole industry will reap the benefits.”

Danielle works as a recruitment consultant for S&L Personnel in Hinckley and started her apprenticeship with provider learndirect in November last year. She decided to undertake a recruitment apprenticeship to gain the level of knowledge and experience needed to progress to a more senior role.

Danielle Blanchard, apprentice at S&L Personnel, says: 

“An apprenticeship is definitely worth doing so you can learn more about your industry and progress within your company. It makes you think more outside the box about the day to day work that you’re already doing. My assessor is absolutely brilliant. She’s on hand if I’m ever unsure about anything.” 

Andrew McQuillan, Managing Director at S&L Personnel, says:

“At S&L Personnel we believe strongly in offering relevant training to our team of managers and consultants to enable them to develop. We have a number of consultants currently completing industry specific qualifications with the REC and we see the positive results of this training on a daily basis. 

“The high levels of service we offer is down to our highly trained and motivated consultants, like Danielle.”

According to government data, apprenticeships are available in 1,500 job roles, covering more than 170 industries. On average, apprenticeships boost productivity to businesses by £214 per week.

Of the employers who have taken on an apprentice:  

• 87 per cent said they were satisfied with their apprenticeship programme

• 76 per cent say that productivity has improved

• 75 per cent reported that apprenticeships improved the quality of their product or service.

For more information about apprenticeships in recruitment, visit www.rec-irp.uk.com/apprenticeships.

Ends

Notes to editors:

1. For more information, contact the REC Press Office on 0207 009 2157/2192 or pressoffice@rec.uk.com. An ISDN line is available for interviews on 0207 021 0584.

2. Government statistics relating to apprenticeships can be found here:

3. Jobs transform lives, which is why we are building the best recruitment industry in the world. As the professional body for recruitment we’re determined to make businesses more successful by helping them secure the people they need.  We are absolutely passionate and totally committed in this pursuit for recruiters, employers, and the people they hire. Find out more about the Recruitment & Employment Confederation at www.rec.uk.com