West Berkshire Training Consortium celebrates achievements of Benchmark Furniture apprentices
A Kintbury-based woodwork business is championing apprenticeships as it awards valued members with apprentice qualification certificates.
Benchmark Furniture has been working with West Berkshire Training Consortium (WBTC) for years in sourcing and training apprentices and is setting them up for the future.
When apprentices aren’t working and training at Benchmark they’re at City of Oxford College gaining skills and building a wealth of knowledge with like-minded people.
Matthew Rawlings, 23, achieved his level three apprenticeship in October and has stayed with Benchmark as a qualified cabinet maker.
Mr Rawlings, who studied carpentry at Newbury College before joining Benchmark at 17-years-old, said the process provided him with an alternative to university – allowing him learn in a way that worked best for him.
“Working around really experienced makers at Benchmark really helped with learning new things,” he said.
“And my confidence grew over the course of the six years that I have been here.
“It has been really rewarding.
“A lot of workplaces require you to have some sort of experience in the role you are going for – the only way to get that and the qualification is through an apprenticeship.”
Apprentices are all given roles to play and work with senior members of the team building a mentor-like relationship which is slowly relaxed as they get to grips with their work.
They have the opportunity to ask questions, gain hands on experience in various departments and assist the day to day needs of the business.
Watching them gain independence is the most rewarding part of the process for Benchmark apprentice trainer Ben Clarridge.
He said: “An apprenticeship is probably one of the best ways of getting into a career really.
“At university, you are not 100 per cent guaranteed a job but in an apprenticeship you are guaranteed a career in whatever it is you fancy doing.
“You haven’t got a massive debt from university, you’ve got an income coming in and you’re learning on the job.
“It is a security thing.”
WBTC maintains a close working relationship with businesses throughout the process all while building relationships with the apprentices themselves.
Training consultant for engineering and manufacturing at WTBC Julian Price oversees the process from guiding apprentices to liaising with training providers.
“I think some people underestimate an apprenticeship,” he said.
“They are on a training course but they are also getting their feet under the table with that company.
“When they wake up with that [qualification] paperwork two or three years later they have got a place in that company and they feel comfortable and they’re with people they’ve known for years.”
Apprentice Chris Vekony was presented with a Level 2 distinction certificate in February after joining Benchmark two years ago following a period at Didcot doing stone masonry.
In addition to learning new skills as a woodworker, the 22-year-old said he had grown as a person and built strong relationships at the West Berkshire-based business.
“When I started here I was really nervous but now I am confident in the skills I have, compared to two years ago,” he said.
“I think I have really matured as well.
“I wanted to change into something more creative and in higher demand, I wanted to become a good woodworker and this has definitely helped me get there.
“I want to carry on and keep improving and I like the process of working here, it is good fun.”
Benchmark is also one of the businesses sponsoring an award category at the WBTC Rising Stars awards on May 17.
The ceremony aims to celebrate around 200 of its apprentices and Great Start learners.
Benchmark will be sponsoring the young apprentice of the year between the ages of 16 and 18 award – something Benchmark production manager Martin O’Hara said is close to the company’s heart.
Mr O’Hara said Benchmark has had involvement with the consortium for many years and has received great support in finding employees that suits its business needs.
“We have found that the best approach is to go grassroots level and bring apprentices through,” he said.
“We are very much about the development of the younger generation.”
He added: “It is quite an impressive thing to look at the progression of an apprentice.
“When they come in they’re kind of raw with untapped potential but we go through quite a thorough process to identify who would be a good match.
“It is something that has been in place here way before my time and it is something I hope will remain in place for many years to come.”
Furniture lead at Rycotewood Furniture Centre Josh Hudson directly trains with the apprentices and said WBTC shares a historic relationship with Benchmark.
He said there has been a noticeable rise in apprenticeship interest over the past three years.
“The training is about developing their knowledge, skills and behaviours,” he said.
“It is not just about teaching them how to hold a saw, it is about their development as a person over two years.
“Within furniture making there is an ageing workforce – there is a skills gap in the market.
“This next generation of apprentices are the way forward.”
