Apprenticeships - Case Study Example

APPRENTICESHIPS Introduction With apprenticeships expanding in the UK jaguar land rover is at the forefront of apprenticeships programme offering a second to none programme. Jaguar land rover hosts workshops (career events) in most outstanding cities, in the United Kingdom, as it recruits individuals both in and out of education for apprenticeships. The ethics of this apprenticeship programme is to contribute to the development of skills in the youth, in the United Kingdom, and through this process enhance the company image, thus educating future leaders. It is also essential that the employing of an apprenticeship program within the firms adheres to the policy laws and regulations of such business activities. They should be in line with the business, and social ethic the firm adheres to and also be in accordance with the set objectives of the firm. Apprenticeship is beneficial for business in beating the competitor in terms of both product market and consumer relations. The transformation of these two aspects shows in increased profit margins. Executive Summary Apprenticeship refers to the system where Jaguar land rover offers technical training a new wave generation of skilled manpower in a firm’s competency. This technical traineeship ranges from mare craft job opportunities to skilled, professional licensing for those eying skilled professions. This apprenticeship forms some form of agreement between the firm’s directors and the apprentice individuals (Fuller, 2003). An agreement of the state that in exchange for offering the firm cheap, available labour by the end of a specified time of the apprenticeship they would have achieved objectified levels of competencies in those fields. In current times, as the directors of the firm you may evolve forms of apprenticeship where theoretical knowledge is also part of the deal. It needs to be regulated thoroughly to ensure that the outcome is more profitable to the firm than any other party as is the aim of business to improve profits. The application of apprenticeship will ensure that the firm has a stable supply of adequately trained personnel to fill any upcoming vacancies as is directors’ responsibility to ensure for this. On the side of the apprentice, they will get to gain and specialize on the skills they get coaching on and establish themselves ready for similar job markets. As directors, there is a need to ensure adherence with the required ethical policies that guard competition among firms. This entails that even in application of competitive strategies factors such as the adherence to quality products laws, social responsibilities and environmental sustainability must be considered (Howard, 2008). Therefore, as directors, there is a need to ensure all the objectives of apprenticeship are met through application of appropriate strategies. In addition, they have to ensure that the apprenticeship activities follow the strict project goals and occur within policies and regulations. Objectives With the governments introduction of new funding of about £6 million which is open to a variety of sectors including the automotive industry, and are now inviting bids from businesses from across the UK, our objective as the leading apprenticeship employer in the automotive industry is to capitalise on this funding and potentially bid and win a lot of this funding in order to expand the scheme and in the process develop young people with qualification and experience across the UK. It is an initiative that can strengthen the economy, develop the workforce and enhance the jaguar land rover image. (SMMT Driving the Motor Industry, 2012). The impact of this expansion can potentially be enormous and will benefit jaguar land rover both financially and politically, thus enhancing the company image of fulfilling corporate social responsibility. Competitors will intend to do the same to acquire the new government specified funding, so our objective is to be ahead in terms or thinking and implementation. The Scheme (Jaguar Landrover, 2011). We run two types of engineering apprenticeship schemes. Once selected for either the Advanced or Higher Apprenticeship Scheme we will match your aptitudes, abilities and preferences against our business requirements to place you on the most appropriate skills pathway. -Advanced level Most of the advanced apprenticeships opportunities are in product development or manufacturing with an entry requirement of a GCSE level qualification. -Higher level The higher level is more focused on product supervision, purchasing and financing with an entry requirement of an A level of equivalent. Apprenticeship pathways (Divided into 7 pathways) Whichever of our Schemes joined, there will be a recognised qualification. A valuable, practical experience with two of the Worlds greatest brands will be gained to help fuel the success. Training & Development Whichever Apprenticeship pathway you are eligible for, you will know we’re looking after you from the start. We’ll help you stand on your own with the help of an induction programme that covers a factory tour, a structured training and development, regular development reviews as well as initiatives to participate in and enjoy, some of which will involve you supporting the local community at Apprenticeship career events. The training usually takes four years that end with a recognisable and well respected qualification. Benefits & Rewards There are uncountable gains that come with joining the scheme ranging from sports and gym facilities at work, flexible working and family-friendly policies to fit your lifestyle with work, holiday entitlement, pension scheme and a privilege car purchase scheme. Government Initiatives The Automotive Council is a concerted field and Government body that works to shape the future of UK Automotive. It encourages the youth to think about future careers in the automotive industry (SMMT Driving the Motor Industry, 2011). The government, in February 2012, announced a new record of government funding to support thousands of apprentices to get a degree level qualification or equivalent in order to boost young people’s skills for the future of this country. A fund of £6 million is open to several sectors such as the automotive industry and are now inviting bids from businesses from across the UK. It is an initiative to strengthen the economy and develop the workforce. (SMMT Driving the Motor Industry, 2012) Corporate Social Responsibility (Jaguar Landrover, 2011). Jaguar land rover rated gold in the corporate responsibility index 2011 The Corporate Responsibility Index is a voluntary benchmark of Corporate Responsibility that leads in the UK. It is a framework to help companies to integrate and improve Corporate Responsibility throughout their operations by providing a methodical attitude to managing, measuring and reporting the effects of businesses on society and the environment. These awards reflect Jaguar Land Rovers commitment to Corporate Responsibility throughout the business operations. They also ensured the company improved its performance by 10% and rose from silver to gold in a single year. Corporate Social Responsibility is a leading actor of Jaguar Land Rover and is in every aspect of our business. This includes checking how our products and operation affect the environment, employee engagement, organizing community groups and establishing nationwide educational campaigns. Environmental innovation programme awarded a national big tick Jaguar Land Rover has environmental performance as one of the various key determinants of its CR strategy. The programme of environmental innovation received a Big Tick award because of its role in innovative environmental leadership. This means that their commitment to the production of sustainable products and production systems, CO2 minimization, and high fuel efficiency was a national achievement. The framework of environmental innovation programme is applied in structuring, measuring, and evaluating efforts done to increase productive efficiency and reduce adverse environmental impacts. This framework resulted in the development of innovative, long term business goals with a target of reducing CO2 emission by 25%, and reducing water consumption by 10% by 2012. It also aimed at reducing tailpipe emissions by 25% by the year 2015. Ethics The application of apprenticeship and the various measures among others to mitigate the effects of apprenticeship on other firms conducted in line with the application of the ethical policies that guard competition among firms. Such ethics are such as those that ensure this Jaguar Land Rover manufacturer fulfils its obligations to consumers and the environment. This entails that even in application of competitive strategies factors such as the adherence to quality products laws, social responsibilities and environmental sustainability must be considered (Howard, 2008: p. 65). These ethical measures and responsibilities subjected to the all the firms in equal mannerisms ensuring fairness and equality in operations. Benefits (The Institute of the Motor Industry, 2010). Benefits to Individuals Taking up Apprenticeships Research conducted by the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) found that the benefits of individuals who take up apprenticeships included developing and improving on the job skills they had for future employment job prospects and gaining recognisable qualifications. 83 per cent found work immediately after completing the apprenticeship programme, and 45 per cent found employment with the same employer they did the apprenticeship. In addition to finding employment, some of them become self employed as a result of the apprenticeship program. Through involvement in such activities and traineeship with firms such as Jaguar Land Rover Manufacturing Company, the trainees get to develop innovative capabilities within themselves and as such some end up applying these innovations to the real world. Benefits to Jaguar land rover Apprenticeship at Jaguar land rover is a significant investment in human resources impacting the company immensely. The benefits include a highly innovative workforce, increased productivity and work quality, reduced staff turnover, and a beneficial balance between staff. In addition, the company needs a young, enthusiastic workforce to take the company to new heights and stay on top. In line with the application of apprenticeship in ensuring that the firm has a stable supply of adequately trained personnel to fill any upcoming vacancies other prospects also arisen this. These are prospects such as increased productivity within the firm and the improvement of the image of the firm. This is to mean that Jaguar Land Rover would have greater and better supply of workers that know their responsibility within the company, thus increasing the output level of the firm. The improvement in productivity also leads to increased productivity of the firm and as such ensuring for the expansion of the firm. This is in line with the overall objectivity of all firms inclusive of the jaguar land rover firm is to maximise profitability in operations and expand the scope of manufacturing. The adoption of apprenticeship ensures that the firm is going to improve in both quality and quantity of their products and service delivery hence increasing their profit making. Impact With this apprenticeship programme, we tend to increase motivation and provide an accredited work force; we also indirectly enhance the brand image of jaguar land rover. Improved motivation within the company staff and the availability of adequate well trained staff will increase the productivity of the firm. This will ensure that the firm’s rate of meeting its standards improves and that the firm satisfies the available market. This in return translates to increased profits for the firm and which might later on lead to expansion of the firm. All firms require keeping a compelling image and taking up corporal responsibility to the community. In this line, the application of apprenticeship enables for the fulfilment of all these at the same time. Taking and training individuals from the community and offering a fantastic deal packages for them improves their general image and relation with the public. This has benefits both in the corporal world in gaining recognizer benefits and the market through improved markets, which translate to high sales profits. These are figures showing the impact of the Jaguar Land Rover apprenticeship program, World Class Manufacturing Apprenticeship Program Halewood Operations 2011 (Industry Forum,2011) Financial Benefits http://www.apprenticeships.org.uk/Employers/Other-Questions/FAQDetails11.aspx (2009) Research conducted by the University Of Warwick Institute Of Employment concluded that employers’ investment of apprenticeships is gained back relatively quickly and the returns are significantly immense if nurtured properly and accordingly. In addition, Sheffield University, also in their research agreed with the long term financial benefits of employers investing in apprenticeships. The research generated that a Level 3 advanced apprentice gives a lifetime benefit of 105,000 to the employer, compared to someone without apprenticeship qualification and a level 2 will generate a lifetime financial benefit of 73,000. SWOT Analysis This is a form of analysing of the project to gauge of its impacts to the firm when applied. It is a way for directors to try and gauge the potential benefits of applying the method to enable a firm to decide informatively on the best way to apply the project. This involves on weighing the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of applying the project to the firm. If the benefits are better than the weaknesses, then it is a formidable project to apply and vice versa. As Directors, we should first consider the various benefits and opportunities that the jaguar land rover firm will be able to accrue from the application of the apprenticeship program. Therefore, the downside of the application of apprenticeship will be on the financial side because of the costs accrued through the payment of allowances and insurance packages to the trainees and trainers. Also from the cost of college fees for those that apply offering of theoretical learning as part of their apprenticeship package. In the same line, the threats and opportunities are similar to the benefits and challenges advocated for by the program. These financial drawbacks that our firm will incur will be a handed advantage to the opposition in terms of sales. Other forms such as ford will cultivate on this shortcoming by investing in market strategies that we will not as a result of our financial loss. This will lead to even greater loss to our firm as we lose the market to our competitors, which are unacceptable. Competitor Analysis Being the top employer in the automotive industry in the UK, in the top 5, our competitors are Ford and the BMW Group. Analysing these competitors in the projects and the manner that they apply them enables us to obtain an upper hand in the industry. As directors, we will diversify and include new, innovative strategies in the applications of the apprenticeship program (SMMT Driving the Motor Industry, 2011). This is because we understand that obtaining the better hand to competitors is an aim for all industries and the responsibility of directors to get them there. The financial and technical capacity to employ innovative strategies within apprenticeship program better lies with or firm which is the largest and most expansive as compared to Ford, BMW, Nissan and Toyota industries. This means that, with correct strategies and innovations, we can reach an innovative level incomparable to the rest. Once the directors have understood that the best way to be at the top is to be innovative, they will hold on to their position as the top employer in the automotive industry in the UK (SMMT Driving the Motor Industry, 2011). FORD The Ford Masters Apprenticeship Programme offers 11 apprentice pathways which is more than what Jaguar land rover offers and also has a lot of training centres. Light Vehicle Technician Commercial Vehicle Technician Rapid Fit Technician Service Advisor / Accident Repair Centre Advisor Parts Advisor Accident and Repair Panel / Paint Technician MET (Mechanical Electrical Trim) Commercial Vehicle Sales Consultant and Light Vehicle Sales Executive (Ford, 2012). Therefore, in order for us to keep this competitor at bay effectively, we need to strategise on expanding the professional pathways of our apprenticeship program. This could be advancing the same as those of Ford and innovating extra new positions. BMW Group The BMW Group offers a dealer Apprenticeship which covers service apprenticeship, parts apprenticeship, body shop apprenticeship and motorcycle apprenticeship covering a lot of career pathways to offer to individuals. (BMW Group, 2012). The BMW in February 2012 has announced plans to increase the number of apprenticeships through the company and dealers to 200 in 2012. (http://www.just-auto.com/news/bmw-hiring-more-apprentices-this-year_id119993.aspx) In order to ensure better apprenticeship and results, the directors need to ensure the betterment of the project. This mainly deals with modifications of aspects of the project that betters its conduction and increases the overall profitability. An assessment and modification of other firm’s apprenticeship programs may work well towards this initiative. As such, an increased number of apprentices than all the other motor vehicle manufacturing firms and these numbers spread over even greater professional fields than the BMW, Nissan, Ford, and Toyota groups. Conclusion In conclusion, as a recommendation Jaguar Land rover as the leading employer in the automotive industry needs to expand on the apprenticeship areas offered and branch out in more locations, in the country, to offer the apprenticeship programme. This will in turn bring in more funding from government and increase workforce productivity. This will in turn be reflected across as director’s responsibility for effective application of this. A better communication strategy should be put in place for schools/colleges/universities to communicate more frequently with employers in order to receive a two way feedback as these apprentices are also an investment for the future. It is currently of director’s responsibility and concern due to the recession to take up additional apprentices, but the benefits in the future significantly outweigh the threats. The automotive industry is a skilled trade industry and, therefore, requires apprentices to be trained as they are the future of this company and the future of this country. As directors, it is best to apply apprenticeship to enable the firm to remain on top in production quality and quantity in satisfying the market. As such, it is necessary to apply competitive strategies that are effective to other firms. Also to employ innovators that will work to improve the apprenticeship program of the firm to be better than what others offer. Recommendations Competition is a particularly crucial aspect of business that requires careful consideration. In that manner, the application of the apprenticeship program is a competition technique like the many others and success is reliant on the competency of the firm. It is also crucial that the directors take use of the apprentice as a reliable technique as it tends to satisfy all the stakeholders of firms productivity. As a result, the directors will ensure that all those involved in the productivity of the firm get a chance to interact with apprentices and pass on their skills and knowledge. Once directors apply apprenticeship to the production process of the jaguar land rover company, they will be able to accrue the benefits and challenges brought by it. In spite of this, as discussed above through the swot analysis the benefits of the application of apprenticeship considerably outweigh its challenges and there are various opportunities obtained through this. It is, therefore, advisable that directors should go ahead and incorporate the apprenticeship program into their production lines. Two Possible Questions 1. How can jaguar land rover maintain being the top apprenticeship employer and be highly profitable in the scheme? In order to ensure better apprenticeship and results, the directors need to ensure the betterment of the project than the competitors. This mainly deals with modifications of aspects of the project that betters its conduction and increases the overall profitability. An assessment and modification of other firm’s apprenticeship programs may work well towards this initiative. As such, our apprentice program needs better formulation and implementation than the competitors. For instance, we should be able to offer greater apprentice chances than the current leader BMW, greater employment possibilities and greater outcome expectations than ford and other firms if we are to emerge on top. We should be better than them in all aspects of apprenticeship. This will pull more benefits to our side increasing our firms’ marketability and profit margins. 2. What are the possible financial drawbacks of these apprenticeships schemes? The downside of the application of apprenticeship will be on the financial side because of the costs accrued through the payment of allowances and insurance packages to the trainees and trainers. Also from the cost of college fees for those that apply offering of theoretical learning as part of their apprenticeship package. Such losses in finance will result to incapability to compete with our competitors such as Ford Company on the same level field, effectively. This is especially true with the fact that Ford makes the least possible innovations to control the expenditure and loss risk to the firm. They will tend to capitalise on our inability to venture into various advancement techniques. This will result to our apprenticeship program being rendered incapable and ineffective thus becoming another drawback. Such financial drawbacks give competitors an edge over us in winning the market and profits for expansion and invasion into new markets. This is unacceptable and must be avoided through application of apprenticeship in mannerisms as discussed above in the paper ensuring success in the industry over competitors. References Edwards, M. 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