The power of apprenticeship support

The Close Brothers SME Apprentice Programme contributes to the funding of new apprentices in the manufacturing sector, helping SMEs to secure the skills they need for the future.

Now in its ninth year, it demonstrates our long established and continued commitment to help SMEs and their local communities grow, succeed and thrive.

We caught up with Steve Gee, CEO, Close Brothers Asset Finance, Industrial Equipment Division, for further insight into the Close Brothers SME Apprentice Programme and our long-term partnership with The University of Sheffield AMRC Training Centre.

The Close Brothers SME Apprentice Programme has partnered with The University of Sheffield AMRC Training Centre since 2015. How did this come about?

At MACH 2014 there were two main issues being discussed - access to finance and new blood coming into the engineering industry.

We came up with the idea of sponsoring young people to enter the engineering sector - SMEs were still struggling after the financial crisis (2008 onwards), which had impacted them a few years earlier.

We spoke to the Manufacturing Technologies Association and they made the initial introduction to The University of Sheffield AMRC Training Centre – the rest is history!

Why have we been doing this, and what is in it for us?

It’s about giving something back – the Engineering and Technologies sectors are very important to us. We support them in many different guises, not only providing funding of new technology but also as part of our responsibility to help address the social and economic challenges facing businesses today, and the apprentice sponsorship is a great example of this.

You’ve taken a very close personal interest in the scheme – why is that?

I believe in giving young people an opportunity, while at the same time helping SMEs who may not yet have benefitted from having new ideas in their business.

It’s great to support both the individuals and their employers.

There’s been a noticeable positive shift in the attitude towards apprenticeships over the past years – why do you think that is the case?

I think at last it is getting the profile it deserves. It’s not cheap to invest in apprentices – and it’s important firms see it as an investment and not a cost.

Handled correctly, apprenticeships can help an SME flourish and at the same time develop the individual apprentice.

www.closeassetfinance.co.uk/manufacturing