SQS Apprentices Scheme

SQS run a very successful Highways Maintenance Apprenticeship Scheme, and this is delivered in partnership with Tendean our Apprenticeship provider. The programme has been in place since 2017 and provides all Apprentices on the programme with the opportunity and support to gain knowledge, experience, and confidence within the reinstatement industry, and at SQS.

Those joining the apprenticeship scheme, come to us with varied backgrounds of experience. Although the common denominator is that they are all looking to find an opportunity to build a successful career which will enable them to support not only themselves but their families and also the opportunity to earn whilst they learn.

We run a comprehensive and robust recruitment process, there are several ways in which applicants can apply via our own website and internal advertising, and via the government apprenticeship portal as well.

Our recruitment process is thorough. Initially we ask for a completed application form, from which we shortlist. Those on the shortlist are invited to an assessment centre, which sounds daunting, but they complete a fun exercise to establish how the applicants communicate and work together as part of a team, this is followed up by an interview. We also pride ourselves on ensuring all offers for places on the scheme are made within three days of the assessment centre and interviews taking place.

The scheme requires Apprentices to complete a minimum of 1 year and 1 week of training, followed by an End Point Assessment (EPS) so the programme can take about 15 months to complete.

The scheme is made up of 20% off the job, and 80% on the job training. We could not complete the on-job training without the dedicated support and mentoring from our operational teams, operational managers, and members of our support functions.

All Apprentices start the scheme with a 3-week initial off-job training programme held at our Scratchwood training academy.

During these 3 weeks, we introduce Apprentices to the company, instilling the SQS vision/values and the importance of our’ Safety First’ culture. They undergo a training programme that encompasses specially developed and accredited training sessions along with the practical training required to allow individuals to work across all our SQS contracts. 

Once the 3-week initial training is completed, Apprentices join their new contacts. During their period of on-job training, they are supported not only by their managers, but also by the teams they are appointed to work with.

On-job training is an important part of the scheme as Apprentices have the chance to not only put their new skills into practice, but to watch, learn and ask questions of those who have vast amounts of experience within reinstatement. All Apprentices get the opportunity to work on all aspects of reinstatement, e.g. white top, and black top, as this enables them to build their knowledge and experiences whilst training and within SQS. It is during this on-job part of the training that they find the element of the role that they enjoy most.

The off-job training is of equal importance. Off-job training is held once a month at our Scratchwood Training Academy, where Apprentices build their theory knowledge, understand what need to go into their final portfolio, and have the opportunity to practice different skills in a safe environment. During these training sessions we can advise where they may be going wrong and ensure they understand the SQS ways of working. They also learn new practical skills to enable them to complete works to the high standards set at SQS.

During the monthly training sessions, 121 meetings are also conducted, and feedback is received from our internal and external trainers and from the teams and managers they are working with on the contracts. The feedback highlights the areas they are doing well and areas where they may need further practice and support with. From a safeguarding and wellbeing perspective the Apprentice also meets with a member of the HR team where they have the opportunity to discuss any concerns they may have.

All Apprentices are required to complete an End Point Assessment, which is made up of a completed portfolio, knowledge questions under exam conditions, a practical 1-day assessment and professional discussion with an external auditor. Throughout this process all Apprentices are supported by the SQS Trainer and Tendean with “mock assessments” to help them achieve to the best of their ability. There are two pass levels possible, one being a pass and the other being a pass with distinction.

At SQS we are extremely proud of the number of our Apprentices who pass with distinction and our scheme is currently operating with an above national average of those passing with a distinction, and we are confident we will maintain this in the future.

For those that successfully complete the apprenticeship scheme, training, and development for our Apprentices does not stop after their EPA. We continue to offer further opportunities for development and most of our Apprentices are qualified in NRSWA, and several are put forward for their HGV licences, all funded by SQS.

During the time we have been running this programme we have seen a number of our Apprentices progress their careers within SQS. It is a pleasure to see them developing into HGV Drivers, Team Leaders, Planners and Reinstatement Managers.

We continuously improve the scheme through rigorous review and development of the scheme often making any changes from the support and feedback provided by the teams completing the on-job training and the Apprentices themselves.

Every year SQS holds and awards day to celebrate the success of our Apprentices. We recently held an Awards Day to celebrate the achievements of our 2024 cohort of Apprentices. Maurice & Katrina O’Connor, our Executive Directors, attended to present the awards and they had the opportunity to personally thank and congratulate each and every one of our Apprentices.

The awards allowed us to share some of the extremely positive and personal feedback received for each individual, from their managers and colleagues. The Executive Directors also received some really valuable feedback from the Apprentices regarding what they enjoyed about the scheme and their future aspirations at SQS.

We are delighted to congratulate the following who successfully completed their apprenticeship scheme, of which 5 candidates achieved distinction. 

Arley, Bhaysham, Chase, Leonardo, Maksymillian, Horcel, Thomas, Liam & Shadane 

The apprenticeship would not be possible without the support of everyone involved in the scheme, and we hope to continue to build on the success of the scheme to date in the future. A special thanks to:

The Operational teams and their Managers who support both the training programme and the apprentices themselves, often going over and above to offer relevant advice and guidance about the job and the utility they are working on.

The Training team made up of Michele, Milena and Tendean our external provider.

The HR team for supporting the recruitment and welfare of the Apprentices.

If you are interested in our Apprentice Scheme, or know somebody who might be please get in contact with us by giving us a call on 0333 240 0201 or emailing recruitment@sqsltd.co.uk