GSH Partners with BEST for national apprenticeship programme

Leading training provider BEST Ltd (Building Engineering Services Training) has established a training partnership with GSH Group resulting in 13 new apprentices starting a Service and Maintenance programme based at Stoke on Trent College. This new group adds to the 4 apprentices who started earlier in the year in Scotland based at North Glasgow College and managed by BEST Scotland training advisor Emma Cameron.

The apprentices based at GSH sites across the UK recently arrived from all over the country to the Stoke head offices of GSH for their programme induction. Representatives from BEST and GSH Group joined them to celebrate there  achievements and herald the launch of the new training partnership that will see annual intake of up to 15 employed Service and Maintenance apprentices by GSH Group. This confirms a major commitment and strategic emphasis of skills development arising from the partnership between BEST and GSH group. 

Paul Harrison of BEST who led the programme development at Stoke for GSH received accolades from many of the learners throughout the recruitment and selection process. Thomas Shaw, one of the apprentices chosen by GSH Group said that ‘Paul is very helpful, he is very welcoming and someone who I go to if I have any issues or problems and he sorts them out as best as he can.’  Within his role as a Training Advisor Paul works closely with apprentices to guarantee that the young learners achieve successful completion of their course.  

BEST CEO Mark Brenner attended the event and commented on the success of the apprentices, “The induction day was very uplifting for all concerned with the excitement, expectation and sheer energy shown by all the learners as they embark on their chosen careers a delight to behold. The long term commitment to apprenticeship training by GSH Group and the recognition of its value is a powerful endorsement of the apprenticeship entry route for our sector and the importance of provider partnerships to ensure quality and high achievements”

Chris McLain, Co-Chief Executive Officer, commented. “We have always recognised the value of apprenticeships and the impact they have on our business not only in terms of staff recruitment, particularly in a notable area of skills shortage but also for staff development and retention. Although the programme requires a large investment from the business, the benefits do far outweigh the investment.