UKSA Awarded ‘We Invest in Apprentices’ Silver Accreditation

In recognition of the investment in its people, UKSA has been awarded a We Invest in Apprentices Silver accreditation by Investors in People (IIP).

UKSA is one of only nine UK organisations to hold this prestigious accreditation and the first on the Isle of Wight.

IIP is committed to raising the standard of people management for sustainable success and has developed this accreditation to recognise organisations with successful and powerful apprenticeship programmes.

UKSA has employed its own apprentices for the past ten years, demonstrating its ongoing commitment to support young people by offering real world alternatives to traditional further education pathways.

Ben Willows, CEO of UKSA, comments: “At UKSA, we provide training for 1,500 professional career students and understand what qualitative and motivational learning looks like. To be recognised for our own internal apprenticeship programme is fantastic. UKSA has been credited for its comprehensive apprenticeship induction and people-centred approach and I am delighted so say that many of our apprentices choose to stay with us for employment – they become part of our the UKSA community. Supporting our apprentices is not just about making sure they get a qualification; it is about building confidence and self-esteem.”

Jeanette Howells, We Invest in Apprentices practitioner for the south of England, comments: “As a well-respected charity and training provider operating in the maritime sector, your ethos is to inspire and support young people to broaden their horizons. You do this by working with a local college to deliver maritime apprenticeships as well as providing professional training for MCA and RYA accredited programmes. Your apprentice engagement is both collaborative and supportive, putting the apprentice at the heart of what you do. Congratulations on being one of the very first companies to achieve the prestigious We Invest in Apprentices Award at silver level. This is truly well deserved.”

UKSA Apprentice Feedback:

“I have had so much support from my manager and HR. I now have an ambition of getting into the navy at some point in the future thanks to UKSA.”

“My HR Manager worked with both the training provider and me to make sure the apprentice level was correct. I was put onto a higher- level apprentice because UKSA had confidence in by ability. This made me feel great!”

“My mentor is there for every step of the way. Nothing is too much trouble and she is always willing to share her knowledge and expertise.”

“I feel proud that I get invited to all staff meetings. The CEO always encourages us to ask questions at the end”

“UKSA are great on supporting my wellbeing. I feel safe and well supported knowing that I can go to the HR Manager or Welfare Officer if I have any problems or concerns.”