London General Insurance and the Royal Forest Of Dean College pioneer a unique Modern Apprenticeship scheme for 15 at Mitcheldean
The Royal Forest of Dean College (RFDC) and London General Insurance Company Ltd (LGI) have pioneered a unique form of Modern Apprenticeship at Mitcheldean. This innovative project will create a team of up to 15 apprentices, unlimited by age or academic attainment, working in a special learning cell within the LGI operations centre at Mitcheldean, and receiving comprehensive day-to-day support from RFDC. It will be run as an integral part of the LGI European operation, which provides warranty services and customer support for some of Europe's leading businesses, including the John Lewis Partnership, RAC, Volkswagen, and Allied Irish Bank.
Working together, James Tomlin of LGI and Lisa Taylor of RFDC Business Training Centre have devised a scheme where modern apprentices have real jobs, working as advisors in the Customer Service Centre and playing their part within an integrated customer service environment that provides customers' first point of contact for a major UK supermarket, and handles enquiries on a wide range of electrical products.
Allison Crossland, who will be managing the project for RFDC, said, "Gone are the days when we wait for a request for training from employers. Here we have taken a pro-active approach, and worked with LGI to match the College programme precisely to LGI's induction and continuous learning processes programme from day one of apprentice employment. RFDC is playing a major role in the recruitment, selection and screening of these apprentices to give them all the best possible chance of success. We intend to ensure that not only do the apprentices achieve success, but that they are also equipped with transferable skills to benefit their future careers."
LGI's James Tomlin said, "We insist upon the highest standards for all our staff, so we will be supporting the modern apprentices with our own highly skilled trainers to provide them with a fast track towards full competence, which does of course give them the 'on the job' skills, qualifications and experience to fulfil their roles here. RFDC, on site here at Mitcheldean, provides all the necessary 'off line' support to ensure that they all complete a Level 2 Customer Service apprenticeship."
The new scheme starts in January 2009, and provides a one-year fast track apprenticeship scheme. Ian Kenny, LGI's operations director, commented, "Our business depends upon people with the right attitude and commitment. We aim to support them with the very best training we can provide, since our business depends upon customer service at the highest level. We expect that this scheme will not only provide opportunities for young people in the Forest of Dean, but will also give older people interested in re-training or returning to work an excellent opportunity to add to their skills and qualifications in a new and exciting working environment."
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CM/5297 Length: 475 words November 2008
Caption: James Tomlin LGI and Allison Crossland RFDC in the new LGI operations centre at Mitcheldean.
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Brook Street,
Mitcheldean, Glos,
UK GL17 0SL
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Page up-dated October 20th 2008
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