Getting to grips with a
telecoms mast during the
Apprenticeship Assessment Day
28
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Reach
Issue 8 2015
A new approach
to apprenticeships
T
his year three new
apprentices have joined
the company, two as IT
apprentices and one, for the first
time, within Field Services.
With the new Field Services
apprenticeship, there was an
opportunity to make the selection
process a little different.
“As well as the usual formal
interviews, we wanted to put the
apprentices in a situation that would
show how well they worked as a
team, and give them a real insight
into the day-to-day work they would
actually be carrying out – this is
especially important for the Field
Services candidates,” said Amy
Wareham, from Airwave’s HR team.
“So, for the first time, we organised
an Assessment Day, when the
apprenticeship candidates spent a day
working with each other and Airwave
staff. The managers overseeing the
day were fantastic – they handled
all the practical activities, while we
conducted the formal interviews and
worked with the managers to rate the
candidates’ performances.
“As well as the usual numeracy and
literacy tests, the candidates had a
full day of activities, including IT and
electrical tests, climbing a telecoms
mast and taking part in a group
exercise to build a tower. The group
exercise in particular enabled us to
see how each candidate behaved
within the team, and to consider the
team dynamics. The day was a great
success, and the feedback from the
candidates was really positive – they
said it was a really good, really fun day.”
And here’s what the three
successful candidates think of their
placements so far …
Airwave has long been a supporter of apprenticeships – CEO Richard Bobbett started his
career in telecommunications as an apprentice – and the company has a strong relationship
with Warwickshire College. There are currently more than 30 former apprentices employed
at Airwave.
