You’re hired! Softcat scoops regional apprenticeship award

Softcat has won the Apprenticeship Employer of the Year award for the North West region. The company collected the award at a ceremony held (13 October 2016) at St Helens Rugby Club, Merseyside.

The National Apprenticeship Award programme, now in its 13th year, challenges top employers and apprentices across England to demonstrate how apprenticeships have made a real difference to their organisations.

After years of pursuing a recruitment strategy focused on graduates, Softcat first opened its doors to apprentices in 2014, and soon realised the benefits of recruiting new employees straight from school or college. Earlier this year Softcat welcomed 23 apprentices to its ranks in the largest ever intake. 

“Apprenticeships have opened up a rich source of talent for us and we’re delighted with the benefits these young people have brought to our business,” said Martin Hellawell, Softcat’s chief executive. “They are on the road to becoming successful, driven business people and an integral part of the Softcat culture. This award recognises all the hard work that our learning and development and recruitment teams have put into making apprenticeships a Softcat success story.”

Softcat’s future plans include developing its apprentice schemes to embrace the new apprenticeship standards and continuing to grow its apprentice headcount. The company also aims to become its own training provider, which will give it more control and ownership over delivery and assessment of its schemes. 

“I love Softcat because it has helped me develop as a person, and in my job role, as well as being surrounded by lovely people who are always willing to help and push you further.” said Bethany Holland, one of Softcat’s Manchester-based apprentices. “What I have achieved over the last 6 months is amazing and Softcat are so driven to make you the best at what you do!”

Softcat, which earlier this year was voted as the UK’s Best Workplace, recruits apprentices from local schools and colleges to fulfil sales, technical and administrative roles. 

For more information about joining Softcat’s award winning apprenticeship scheme, visit the Join Us page or fill in the form below.