How apprenticeships benefit and support strategic aspirations
We spoke to Denise Moon, National Learning and Development Manager for Professional Development at Mencap and asked her why they use apprenticeships to train their staff, the benefits to their organisation and the individual, and why Denise recommends apprenticeships to other employers.
“For us, apprenticeships have enabled us to work in partnership with providers to adapt and tailor curriculum to meet the needs of our own strategic plans and aspirations.”
Tell us about your organisation and your role
Mencap is an organisation formed in 1946 by a lady called Judy Fryd who actively campaigned for children who had a learning disability and their families during a time when there was little of no understanding of learning disabilities. Since the 40s we’ve grown to be a large national and diverse organisation whose primary focus is on ensuring that people with a learning disability are afforded the same opportunities as everyone else.
We want the UK to be the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live.
We provide support to over 4,000 people who have a learning disability, as well as being active campaigners representing the 1.5 million who have a learning disability in the UK. Some of our campaigns are Death by Indifference, Here I am and Treat me Well. We actively campaign and lobby the Government to ensure that people with a learning disability and their families are included in political decisions that affect their lives.
Within Mencap I’m the National Manager for professional development and qualifications. Part of my role is to commission and support apprenticeships and work with our providers to provide the best possible development experience for our staff.
Why did you choose apprenticeships to train and develop your staff?
At Mencap we understand the value of a well-trained and supported workforce. We want to help people develop, fulfill their potential and see their individual career journey within Mencap. Apprenticeships are not simply a great way of developing knowledge, they enable you to develop, practice and gain real experience.
The Apprenticeship levy has actively increased the development opportunities we can offer. We provide a wide range of apprenticeships such as leadership and management, HR, recruitment, surveying, learning and skills, teaching and skills, employability practitioner, data analyst.
How are apprenticeships embedded in your organisation?
We provide apprenticeships mainly for existing staff, but are currently developing additional recruitment pathways for young people through the more dedicated apprenticeship route. We want to bring young people into the organisation and help them see the possibility of a worthwhile career in Mencap.
What benefits do apprenticeships bring to your organisation?
Apprenticeships really help people raise their own personal and professional bar. They create a depth of of knowledge, build confidence and support the delivery of great quality provision.
It’s really an empowering process for individuals and one that creates the ability to more quickly adapt in the organisation. This is essential in a busy, challenging and competitive sector that requires professional skills consistency and resilience.
For us, apprenticeships have enabled us to work in partnership with providers to adapt and tailor curriculum to meet the needs of our own strategic plans and aspirations. It won’t just happen by itself, it requires a mutual input of energy.
How do your staff develop during and after their apprenticeship?
There is a huge positive shift in self-belief and professional competence. We see staff really start to look for promotions, becoming better practioners where they are, or looking to develop in other parts of the organisation.
Where appropriate to the individual’s role, we also give people the opportunity to progress onto a higher level apprenticeship.
What advice would you give to other organisations who are thinking about apprenticeships to train their staff?
The best piece of advice I would give is to work with like-minded providers – choose them wisely. You need to be prepared to help them understand you and your organisation. Success depends on creating an active partnership and ultimately ensuring a great learning experience for staff.
What support have you received from us as a training provider?
When we were looking for a training provider, we found Ixion and Shaw Trust to be very much aligned to our own organisational values. We have worked really well together. Part of this is about dealing with and overcoming challenges and developing a proactive partnership that is based on much trust and respect.
What key words or phrases describing working with us?
Resilient; responsive; collaborative and active partners.
What key words or phrases describe apprenticeships?
Empowering, enabling, real world learning and holistic.
“At Mencap we understand the value of a well-trained and supported workforce, and we want to help people develop, fulfill their potential and see their own individual career journey. Apprenticeships are a great way of not just developing knowledge, but also being able to practice what you learn and in doing so gaining real experience.”