There was cause for celebration when AdviserPlus joined Wirral Met College to celebrate the success of 36 employees who have recently completed studying on the innovative higher level apprenticeship in HR Management. Higher level apprenticeships are at levels four and five, the equivalent level to a Higher National Certificate (HNC) or foundation degree qualification.
Wirral Met College was one of the first colleges in the Northwest of England to deliver the higher level apprenticeship in HR Management and AdviserPlus is one of the few organisations across the country who have supported such high numbers on this apprenticeship programme at one time.
AdviserPlus has invested greatly in the development of their employees since they launched their apprenticeship programme in June 2013, supporting employees on intermediate, advanced and higher level apprenticeships across their Finance, Human Resources (HR) and Administration teams. AdviserPlus’ outstanding commitment to apprenticeships is clearly evidenced by the fact that over 10% of the workforce have completed an apprenticeship programme to date.
The celebration of the higher level apprentices’ successes comes very soon after AdviserPlus received recognition in the Personnel Today Awards 2015 announced in December when they received the HR Partnership Supplier Award.
During the awards ceremony, which took place at Wirral Met’s new Wirral Waters Campus in Birkenhead, Chris Clarke, CEO of AdviserPlus and Sue Higginson, Principal and Chief Executive of Wirral Met College, were joined by Peter Cheese, Cheif Executive of CIPD, the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, the professional association for human resource management professionals. Peter Cheese presented certificates to each of the higher level apprentices and congratulated them on their accomplishments.
Peter Cheese, Cheif Executive of CIPD, said, “I am delighted to celebrate the success of this programme with Wirral Met and AdviserPlus, amongst the very first higher level apprenticeships in HR. Apprenticeships must play an ever greater role in helping people gain work ready qualifications and skills, and HR as a profession should champion these routes into work more. It's very important, therefore, that we also can support apprenticeships in our own profession, particularly into higher level apprenticeships and progression routes beyond, demonstrating these programmes as a real alternative in the further and higher education space. Congratulations to all the students.”
Chris Clarke, CEO of AdviserPlus, said, “We are incredibly proud of our team here today and the focus and determination that they’ve shown in completing the work associated with this qualification. Our colleagues have invested a lot of time and hard work to achieve the Higher Level Apprenticeship. Being able to offer this part-funded opportunity to them, in partnership with Wirral Met College and CIPD; a flexible approach to delivery (delivery on site in our office environment) is proving to be a winning formula in providing development for our people.”
Wirral Met Principal Sue Higginson added, “I was pleased to congratulate the Apprentices who have worked hard to complete a Higher Level Apprenticeship in HR Management, which we believe to be the first group in the country in this sector. This is thanks to their commitment and Wirral Met’s fantastic partnership with their employer.”