The Royal Navy Meet the Sponsor Profile 2020
Published 10th September 2020
Why do you feel so strongly about promoting and celebrating apprenticeships?
Apprenticeships offer a fantastic opportunity to all individuals, irrespective of background, to train, learn and work within the Royal Navy’s unique and diverse working environment. This provides great benefits to both the apprentice and us, the employer. The Royal Navy is proud to be associated with a multitude of apprenticeship schemes spanning all sectors, supporting individuals to grow professionally from the ground up and to find their true potential. The knowledge, skills and behaviours we require from our sailors all starts through their apprenticeship training.
Why do you feel proud to sponsor Higher or Degree Apprentice of the Year category?
Providing individuals with the opportunity to develop and improve themselves throughout their career is something that the Royal Navy is extremely proud to support. Both Higher and Degree Apprenticeships are fantastic routes for people to test their limits, expanding their knowledge and awareness in subject areas that they are passionate about. The Royal Navy is developing various progression routes to higher and degree schemes embracing the benefits they provide the organisation and apprentice through upskilling and retention.
What benefits has your organisation seen as a result of employing apprentices?
The Royal Navy comprises a diverse global network of circa 30,000 sailors, aircrew, Royal Marine Commandos and Royal Fleet Auxiliary, employed at any one time; 12% of are apprentices. In 2020, 87% of the expressions of interest received from people wanting to join the Service originated from the Apprenticeships section of the Royal Navy website. By engaging fully with apprenticeship schemes across the whole spectrum of careers within the Royal Navy, we have been able to offer amazing career opportunities regardless of educational background. Furthermore, feedback on our Apprenticeships has highlighted greater and more diverse opportunities in comparison to other apprenticeship schemes, along with a focus on mutual achievement of career goals.
The Second Sea Lord, Head of Personnel stated: ‘The news that the RN has the UK's best apprenticeship achievement rate of any large provider is fantastic recognition of the quality of our offer, the dedication of our personnel and, most importantly, the determination of our apprentices. A timely piece of good news, this is yet more evidence of how well our personnel are supported and should serve as a reminder that many of our apprentices today, as well as learning valuable skills, are employing those skills to support the nation during the COVID pandemic challenges.’
Second Sea Lord (Head of Personnel), Apr 20
What message would you give to potential applicants?
The Royal Navy embraces the chance to celebrate apprentice achievements across the nation, giving them the praise that they so thoroughly deserve for all the hard work they undergo in the workplace. Everyone that is nominated should be extremely proud of their personal achievements and we wish every applicant the best of luck.