Markerstudy celebrates National Apprenticeship Week with 30% increase in recruits

Expanded programmes in 2024 will see 70 apprentices hired.

To celebrate National Apprenticeship Week, Markerstudy is thrilled to announce an expansion of its apprenticeship programmes which will increase its intake by 30% this year.

“Each year, our Group apprenticeship programmes go from strength to strength,” said Ewan Freeman, apprenticeship programme manager at Markerstudy. “Demand for apprenticeships is increasing and we expect to recruit 70 apprentices this year. Already in 2024, the apprenticeship team is working closely with new business areas and supporting existing colleagues to upskill and develop their careers, and we have vacancies in the pipeline for apprenticeship start dates in March and September.”

Markerstudy welcomed 53 apprentices to the business in 2023, and since 2016 the Group has helped more than 200 apprentices to develop their careers.

One beneficiary is Jim MacDonald, who was promoted to claims team manager in 2021. He’d previously applied, unsuccessfully, for similar positions on a couple of occasions but, after completing the Shooting Stars programme as a Level 3 Team Leader & Supervisor in 2019, his confidence and communication skills developed to the point where he was able to secure his desired role.

The Shooting Stars programme includes workshops, e-learning, a CEO project and corporate challenges. The initiative equips graduates with practical knowledge and skills, such as leading a team, building relationships and managing projects/resources, to provide them with the tools they need to boost their management journey.

“One thing the programme taught me,” explained Jim, “was that a successful leader can take many forms. I realised that I could reflect what makes me unique and play to my strengths. I gained a real understanding of what being a leader is all about.”

In September 2023, Jim attended a special apprenticeship graduation ceremony at One Warwick Park Hotel, Tunbridge Wells. Graduates of apprenticeship schemes from 2019 to 2023 donned gowns and mortar boards to finally celebrate their achievements after previous ceremonies were put on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Markerstudy received formal recognition for two of its apprenticeship schemes in 2023 in the shape of awards. In February, BGL Insurance was crowned Apprentice Employer of the Year at the Cambridgeshire Apprenticeship Awards, while Auto Windscreens was victorious in the Training Provider/Programme of the Year category at the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Apprenticeship Awards in October.