SOCOTEC Celebrates National Apprenticeship Week

SOCOTEC is proud to be celebrating National Apprenticeship Week, an annual celebration that raises awareness of the range of benefits that apprentices bring to businesses.

Taking place from 8 to 14 February, National Apprenticeship Week aims to highlight the exciting opportunities that are currently available to budding apprentices. This year, there will be a particular emphasis on celebrating the ways in which employers have stepped up to meet the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, helping to ensure that apprentices can continue their studies during these unprecedented times.

Last year saw SOCOTEC employ their first ever apprentice, Mike Chapman, who has taken on the role of IT support technician within the IT Service Desk team. As well as assisting with incoming ticket and phone enquiries and supporting with the department’s auditing requirements, Mike is undertaking a structured 15-month training programme at college to further cement the skills he has acquired within his role.

“I’ve always had a large passion for all things IT-related but wanted to delve deeper and turn my interest into a career,” said Mike. “SOCOTEC’s apprenticeship really stood out to me as it offered a gateway directly into the industry, as well as providing me with the opportunity to build up my theoretical knowledge while maintaining a practical, hands-on approach.

“The business has a lot to offer potential employees and has provided me with the support I need to adjust within my role and equipped me with the training I will need to progress in my career. I would recommend anyone who is considering to apply for an apprenticeship vacancy with SOCOTEC to absolutely go for it.”

Dale Bradbury, group IT director, SOCOTEC UK, commented: “We are delighted to welcome Mike on board, who has shown a great deal of commitment and professionalism since his appointment last year. From dealing with new pieces of hardware to supporting various sites with the configuration or maintenance of equipment that cannot be worked on remotely, Mike forms an integral part of the team, and we wish him every success as he continues his apprenticeship with us.”

The IT apprenticeship forms the first of several that SOCOTEC intends to offer across its respective business units, with the hunt now on for apprentice business administrators and apprentice laboratory technicians within Laboratory & Analytical and Infrastructure divisions. The recruitment process for these vacancies is very much underway, with a virtual assessment day to take place in due course to screen potential candidates in line with the latest COVID-19 guidance.

“2021 is shaping up to be an exciting period of growth and development for SOCOTEC, and we are eager to invest in the very best new talent to keep moving the business forward,” added John Sage, HR director, SOCOTEC UK. “Mike’s appointment forms the first of a number of apprenticeships that we are rolling out across the business, and we look forward to seeing how our future apprentices continue to strengthen the commitment, excellence and innovation that our clients have come to associate with SOCOTEC.”

If you are interested in learning more about SOCOTEC’s apprenticeship opportunities or latest vacancies, visit our Careers page.