(L-R: Josh Street – HGV Apprentice, Rebecca Afonso – Sales Office Apprentice, Dan Thompson – HGV Apprentice and James Osborne – HGV Apprentice)
Earlier in the year, our Fareham branch welcomed four new apprentices to their team. Dan Thompson, Josh Street and James Osborne joined our ‘Warehouse to Wheels’ programme, which focuses on training and upskilling Warehouse Operatives to fully licenced HGV Drivers, and Rebecca Afonso embarked on the Sales Office Apprenticeship.
Both apprenticeship programmes offer widespread learning and experience and a platform for ongoing training and career development. Each apprentice gains practical skills and insights into all aspects of the role, as well as a detailed understanding of our business.
Dan completed his apprenticeship in July this year and subsequently, Fareham Branch Director Jason Eastland has offered him a full-time, permanent position.
Dan passed his HGV and Moffett training very early into his apprenticeship due to his ambition and hardworking nature. Since passing his test, Dan is now actively covering HGV duties at the branch and has been developing his skills by driving with the Operations Manager and other Drivers from the branch.
Dan comments: “After being made redundant from my previous company during the pandemic, it gave me time to decide what I wanted to do. I wanted a career which offered job security and becoming an HGV Driver offers that. Having found Encon and the apprenticeship scheme they offer, I quickly got to grips with the work and was keen to get my license quickly. I would recommend an HGV apprenticeship to anyone, especially Encon’s Warehouse to Wheels programme because of the success I’ve had with it. I look forward to further progression within the company.”
Josh joined the team in February this year as an HGV Apprentice. After a stint driving Fareham’s smaller fleet of delivery vans, Josh is now back in the branch learning about the warehouse procedures and the loading and strapping of HGV vehicles.
Joining the team as the latest HGV Apprentice, James is currently driving the delivery vans for the Fareham branch. With his Fork-Lift test coming up, James will be integrated into the Warehouse team as a Warehouse Operative before completing the tests to become a qualified HGV Driver.
Rebecca has switched from Warehouse Operative to a Sales Office Apprenticeship. After undertaking a month of training in the Warehouse, and with the support of her colleagues, Rebecca has gained a great understanding of the business and of the products we stock and supply, while continuing to learn about the day-to-day operations at the branch.
Rebecca comments: “I chose to do an apprenticeship in sales because I get to understand how the sales business works, specifically in distribution. From ordering stock in, to closing the sale with clients; I enjoy working with customers to improve their business and building good rapport with them too.”
Jason adds: “The ‘Warehouse to Wheels’ programme has consistently been a successful initiative for existing team members and for new apprentices. It provides a rounded understanding of distribution and the opportunity to upskill and develop your role. The training also ensures a more progressive and knowledgeable Operations Team at the branch. It’s a great way of building and encouraging a trained workforce at a time where the industry is challenged by a growing skills shortage.
“The Sales Office Apprenticeship offers a Level 2 qualification in Customer Service,” continues Jason. “Apprentices learn about best practice in customer relations, they gain skills in communications and how to influence sales, and they build knowledge of the business, the products we supply and the services we offer. We are currently recruiting for another Sales Office Apprentice to join our team at Fareham, please get in touch if you are interested in learning more about a career in distribution.”
As an Employer of Choice, Encon provides development opportunities to new and existing employees through apprenticeships and dedicated training programmes, encouraging long-term careers with the organisation. Encon is committed to providing more apprenticeships as part of our strong focus on training and development and building a future proofed workforce.
Deborah Gore, HR HSEQ Director for The Encon Group comments: “Encon is proud to have a talented, loyal workforce. We care about our people and continue to strive to be the Employer of Choice. This includes offering opportunities to younger people entering the world of distribution and continuing to build on our diverse workforce.
“The benefit of being part of an independent company is that we can be agile to support people at all stages of their career and life,” continues Deborah. “Our strategic focus as ‘The Distributor of Choice’ in specialist markets channels our energies into investing in our people, helping them to build their knowledge, skills and fulfil their full potential.”
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