Why KBB Apprentice Swap was a great idea for young employees
We have recently collaborated with boiling water tap specialist, QuookerUK to launch an apprentice exchange
initiative.
Simon Acres Group welcomed three apprentices from Quooker, Jack Samuels, Pearl Whitehead, and William Quince to its Northamptonshire base over a two day period.
Meanwhile, in exchange, its own team members, Dovile Kaledaite, Kieran Carroll, and Sabin Paval spent two days at the Quooker head office in Manchester. The swap provided an opportunity for both companies to learn from each other and foster stronger relationships within the industry.
The exchange began with each company providing introductions, tours and the chance to learn about the part each business plays within the KBB industry. The participants then had opportunities to observe team members in their roles, take part in practical exercises and engage in interactive training sessions.
Kieran Carroll, Level 3 Business Administration Apprentice at Simon Acres Group, who has recently completed with a distinction grade, says: “It was a pleasure to visit the amazing team at Quooker, we received such a warm welcome and had a fantastic experience from start to finish. It was great to see how knowledgeable the Quooker team is about their products. Overall, it was an incredible learning experience.” Simon Acres Group has published a video that summarises Kieran’s, Dovile’s and Sabin’s experiences at Quooker, which is available here.
Simon Acres, Managing Director, Simon Acres Group, comments: “The apprentice swap initiative came from a conversation between myself and Stephen Johnson (Managing Director, Quooker) about how the industry should embrace and invest in young talent. It was inspiring to watch the idea come to fruition and the two day apprentice exchange couldn’t
have been more successful. It offered a unique opportunity for exchanging ideas and gaining fresh perspectives. What’s more, the programme didn’t just benefit the apprentices, it provided our wider companies with invaluable insights that will lead to innovation and growth.”
Stephen Johnson, Managing Director, Quooker, adds: “Our recent apprentice swap with Simon Acres Group was a truly rewarding experience for both our company and the apprentices involved. At Quooker, we have always been passionate about training up and nurturing the next generation of talent, equipping them with the necessary skills to excel in their careers.
“Through this initiative, the apprentices gained invaluable hands-on experience and exposure to different parts of our business, learning how and importantly why we operate as we do. Their enthusiasm and eagerness to learn was truly commendable.
“We firmly believe in the importance of supporting young talent and are optimistic about the future of this initiative. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with Simon Acres and contributing to the development of aspiring professionals in our field.”
Simon concludes: “We strongly encourage other KBB and merchant businesses to consider an apprentice swap. Let’s continue to build a culture of learning and collaboration in our industry. The takeaways that we all gained from this experience are so valuable and we believe that this scheme could be a game-changer for businesses going-forward.”
If you would like some advice on organising an apprentice swap, please call the Simon Acres Group team on 0203 701 6660 or email info@simonacres.co.uk. To find out more about Simon Acres Group, visit the website: https://simonacres.co.uk/.
