Exactly what we needed

Handicare – already specialists in providing and installing mobility equipment – recently expanded their range to include bathing solutions for people with mobility difficulties.

In order to invest in the future skills for their company, Handicare has taken on 12 apprentices operating nationwide, each working alongside a qualified plumber.

UK Field Services Manager, Keith Stanger, explained how the programme had been set up to meet the needs of the business: “We already had an electrical apprenticeship scheme which trains people on day release but it wouldn’t have worked in this situation – it’s not good to take a day off when you’re halfway through installing someone’s bathroom!

"We tried a number of different avenues before coming to Warwickshire College - they were the first to offer exactly what we needed.

“We developed a residential block-release programme specifically for our apprentices. This meant that we could start part-way through the year and the training could be timed around our work commitments. It also helps our apprentices – some of whom are quite young – to start building the life skills and discipline they will need to be working on the road.

“The college advertised the vacancies for us and did the first round of recruitment, assessing candidates’ practical skills. This was really useful as the positions were located all over the country and it would have been difficult for us to do.

“The apprenticeship scheme covers much more than the plumbing qualification, enabling us to put our own company ethos into the training programme. 

"For example, consideration and empathy for our customers is paramount. We ensure that they are provided with facilities whilst their bathroom is being adapted which, as you can imagine, sometimes requires some quite delicate conversations. The college assess all this as part of the apprentices' training.”

“The apprentices have now been with the company since January and we are already seeing the benefits.  We have had a dozen or so complimentary letters about how helpful, efficient and professional our plumbers have been. We are very pleased with how the programme is going.”