Case study provided by David Foot, Engineering Manager

What services do you provide to Portsmouth City Council and it’s residents? How do your apprentices support this work?

We provide a bus service to the local community as well as those visiting or working within the Portsmouth and surrounding areas. Our apprentices are key to ensuring the future our Transport operation by maintaining our fleet of buses.

How to apprenticeships benefit your organisation?

By investing in apprentices, we’re not just developing skilled professionals – we’re building a strong, diverse workforce that will drive our business forward. They bring fresh ideas, energy and a passion for learning that helps us to innovate and grow.

How do you think your apprentice(s) has benefited from their apprenticeship?

Throughout the apprentice’s journey, we have observed a significant and commendable progression from having minimal knowledge of mechanical engineering to demonstrating a strong understanding and well-developed practical skills. We have seen several apprentices come through the training and they are now fully capable of competently inspecting, diagnosing, and repairing our fleet, reflecting their dedication, commitment to learning, and professional growth.

What would you say to encourage other businesses to offer apprenticeships?

If we fail to invest in apprenticeships today, we risk creating serious skills gaps in the future, leaving industries unprepared and young people without the training they need to succeed.

What First Bus apprentices say

“I started this 4 year apprenticeship with absolutely no knowledge of mechanics or anything engineering, within a 3 years of training from other techs in the workshop and provided by the college I have been able to walk away with a certificate in mechanical engineering. I have also had multiple shortlisting’s for national and reginal awards and a future career in the industry. My future prospects now mean that I will always be in a job that interest me. The support I have received from my fellow colleagues here means I have come from nothing and being unable to hold a ratchet to having a profession in mechanical engineering and I couldn’t have done it without them.”

Case study provided by Cheryl Bartlett, Project Engagement Officer

What services do you provide to Portsmouth City Council and it’s residents? How do your apprentices support this work?

Future Water is a joint venture between Mackley and Jones Bros, formed to deliver the Havant Thicket Reservoir project, the first large-scale water storage development in the UK since the 1980s. Located in Hampshire, the reservoir will store 8.7 billion litres of water and supply Southern Water with 21 million litres per day, significantly reducing reliance on the River Test and River Itchen, two vital chalk streams. In addition to its environmental benefits, the project is set to contribute over £50 million to the local economy, creating  construction jobs and apprenticeships for local workers.

As the project progresses, it will not only strengthen the region’s water infrastructure but also create lasting opportunities for local communities. By employing local people, the project helps foster essential skills development in water management, providing a direct benefit to the local workforce. The apprentices involved are gaining critical expertise in constructing large-scale water infrastructure, which is vital not only for this project but also for future water initiatives across the UK. With rising population growth and increasing demand for water, sustainable solutions like reservoirs will play a crucial role in securing a reliable water supply.

The Havant Thicket Reservoir is just one of many that will be built over the next decade. The skills apprentices are acquiring now will be key to supporting the growth of future reservoir projects. These apprentices will not only play an essential role in the current project but will also help fill the skills gap in the construction market, ensuring the successful development of future reservoirs and critical infrastructure. This is not only vital for the long-term success of the water industry but will also provide even more job opportunities for the local area. It’s a project to watch, as it represents a crucial step in addressing water scarcity and building a more sustainable future for both the region and the UK as a whole.

How do apprenticeships benefit your organisation?

Apprenticeships bring significant benefits to our organisation by addressing both our immediate business needs and broader industry challenges.

One of the primary advantages is the opportunity to provide local employment and create clear pathways for local individuals to enter the workforce. By offering apprenticeships, we nurture talent from within the community, offering valuable opportunities to those who may otherwise face barriers to entering skilled roles in the construction and utilities sectors. This not only strengthens our business but also contributes to the local economy by providing sustainable career paths for young people.

Apprentices play a crucial role in tackling the skills gap within the construction industry, which is currently grappling with a shortage of skilled workers. With over 140,000 vacancies in the UK construction sector, apprenticeships offer an effective way to bring fresh talent into the industry. By investing in apprentices, we actively contribute to addressing this shortage and help secure the future of the sector.

Additionally, apprenticeships help us build a talent pipeline that supports the long-term growth of our organisation. We recruit and develop apprentices who, over time, become skilled and valuable members of our team. This approach ensures a steady flow of talent that is aligned with our company culture, values, and industry-specific requirements, making for a more cohesive and efficient workforce.

Importantly, apprentices also provide crucial support for existing staff. By taking on day-to-day tasks and assisting with ongoing projects, apprentices reduce the pressure on senior team members, allowing them to focus on more complex responsibilities. This balance improves overall productivity and creates a more collaborative environment where knowledge is shared across all levels of the business.

At Future Water, we are committed to investing in our apprentices and employees, providing the training and support needed for them to thrive and build rewarding careers within our company. The apprenticeships program is not only an investment in talent but also in the success and sustainability of the business.

How do you think your apprentice(s) have benefitted from their apprenticeship?

• Our apprentices have shown remarkable personal and professional growth throughout their apprenticeships, gaining both confidence and a deeper understanding of the workplace. They are fully involved in the day-to-day operations and get the opportunity to work across various departments and disciplines, which allows them to develop a broad range of skills and experience.
• For example, Matt initially joined us on a 9-week placement as part of his Construction T-level from Havant and South Downs College. Since then, he has returned as an apprentice sub-agent, where he has grown considerably. Matt’s apprenticeship has provided him with the chance to engage with multiple areas of the business, from project planning to site management, which has helped him build a clear career pathway. His confidence has grown immensely, and he now takes on more responsibility, stepping up to new challenges and roles within the team with increasing assurance.
• Similarly, Esther has made impressive strides in her confidence. She is now much more comfortable interacting with both the public and stakeholders, confidently explaining her role and the work involved. Esther is actively involved in the day-to-day work across different departments, from supporting the operational team to liaising with clients and stakeholders. She has contributed to careers events, including supporting school outreach initiatives, and participated in last year’s Apprenticeship Bus tour around Portsmouth, representing Future Water.

These examples reflect how our apprenticeship program not only equips our apprentices with essential skills but also gives them the chance to work across various disciplines and departments. This hands-on, multidisciplinary experience is crucial in shaping their confidence and career pathways, allowing them to actively shape their own futures while contributing meaningfully to our work.

What would you say to encourage other businesses to offer apprenticeships?

We would absolutely encourage other businesses to offer apprenticeships—do it! It’s such a rewarding experience to see how someone grows within the company, gains confidence, and ultimately flourishes in their role. Watching an apprentice develop from someone who’s just starting out into a skilled, confident team member is incredibly fulfilling.

Apprenticeships are also a fantastic way to support local people for local jobs. By offering these opportunities, you’re not only helping to bridge the skills gap but also contributing to the local economy. Investing in apprentices means you’re providing sustainable career paths for people in your community, which in turn helps strengthen the workforce and the local area.

It’s definitely worth the effort. The benefits of bringing in new talent, watching them grow, and knowing you’re making a real difference to someone’s career and to the future of your business, make the process incredibly rewarding. Plus, with the right support, the apprenticeship model is easy to implement and can bring lasting value to your team.

What Future Water apprentices say

This apprenticeship has given me real, hands-on knowledge and experience of how the construction world works. Undertaking this apprenticeship has helped me build confidence in speaking and delivering presentations. I have also learnt how to use key engineering equipment such as the Total Station, GPS Receiver and Dumpy level. I was given the opportunity to work with different teams and sections across the construction project, which helped me understand each stage of the construction process and appreciate the importance of every role involved. (Esther Boafo)

Case study completed by Simon O’Keeffe, Managing Director

What services do you provide to Portsmouth City Council and it’s residents? How do your apprentices support this work?

Lift Maintenance, emergency breakdown cover, lift repairs and new lift installation. Our apprentices assist our lift engineers in their everyday roles.

How do apprenticeships benefit your organisation?

There is a very short supply of well trained and experienced lift engineers through the lift industry by offering apprenticeships we are helping to ensure our business can continue to grow and continue to offer the levels of service currently being given to PCC and all of our clients. CSE are committed to offering apprenticeships to young people residing in the PO1 to PO5 postcodes.

How do you think your apprentice(s) has benefitted from their apprenticeship?

Joshua has become a more confident person since joining our company almost 3 years ago now. He has developed his fault-finding skills and is capable of completing many tasks unsupervised. Joshua is on our out of hours callout rota, which sees him attend callouts to various types of lifts located in different types of buildings.

What would you say to encourage other businesses to offer apprenticeships?

Employing apprentices is rewarding for a number of reasons, watching young people grow and develop over time, and seeing their confidence develop as their experience expands. For our organisation, apprentices are of great importance as it helps our more experienced engineers complete their specific tasks. PETA have been very supportive of Joshua and continue to monitor his progress.

What Comprehensive Elevator Services apprentices say

“My experience doing an apprenticeship with CES has been excellent and has improved my overall skills in work and everyday life. I have constantly been learning since my first day and my confidence has been boosted massively in work and socially.”

Case study provided by Becky Herbert, Headteacher, Cumberland Infant School and Little Cumberland Pre-School

Why do you provide apprenticeships and how do they benefit your school?

Upskilling current staff and growing our own staff who have embedded our Culture and Ethos

Seeing the potential in the younger generation who have a real desire and natural ability with children and giving them the opportunity and aspiration to aim high

How have your apprentices benefited from their apprenticeship?

They feel valued/supported and part of the Cumberland team and they see the impact they have on the progress of the children they are working with.

A belief that they can do it, even though at school they may not have found learning easy or reach their potential.

What would you say to encourage other schools to provide apprenticeships

Apprenticeships thrive on being valued and upskilled by learning on the job and it’s rewarding to see apprentices flourish and grow in their role.

The council’s Apprenticeship team are very supportive and adaptive their methods to enable the apprentices to succeed.

What Cumberland’s apprentices says

Hollie, Teaching Assistant Apprentice – “Doing an apprenticeship has increased my confidence in the workplace and I learning new things every day.”

Kyra, Early Years Apprentice – “It has been really fulfilling especially the first-hand learning experience.”

Quote provided by Alisha Barber, Teaching Assistant Level 3 Apprentice at Wimborne School

“Starting my Level 3 Teaching Assistant apprenticeship in September 2024 has been life‑changing. As a single parent, this route gave me the chance to learn, earn and build a better future for my son and me. At first, the academic work really worried me, but with the right support and everything broken down into manageable steps, my confidence grew and I began to thrive.

I love helping children believe in themselves and seeing them become more independent every day. I’m now close to finishing my apprenticeship and hope to progress to Level 4/5 or even a teaching apprenticeship.

My journey hasn’t been easy, but it’s shown me that it’s never too late to change your life and achieve something you’re proud of.”

Case study provided by Sophie Enright, Service & Hospitality Manager for Minstead Trust

What services do you provide to Portsmouth City Council and it’s residents?  How do your apprentices support this work?

Lily and Lime operate as a day opportunity/social enterprise running cafes in Portsmouth Central Library and Portsmouth Civic Offices, providing real life work experience for people who need a little extra support.

The cafe in the library is open to the public where apprentices will learn customer service skills, as well as barista, food prep training and home baking, social interactions, employment law and transferrable life skills.

The cafe in the civic offices is open only to council staff and is a faster paced environment where apprentices will learn all of the above, how to lead a team and supporting the training for individuals who access the commissioned service. In this cafe they also learn home cooking and transferable life skills.

How do apprenticeships benefit your organisation?

Apprenticeships benefit our organisation as they support existing staff in the every day role and they have the opportunity to develop their skills and identify the individuals’ skills, increasing confidence and morale.

For people with a learning disability, it boosts confidence and gives a sense of achievement, purpose and value to society and provides an opportunity for further development within the organisation.

How have your apprentices benefitted from their apprenticeship?

The apprentices have become more confident in their job roles, they are able to lead a small team of other individuals that access the service.

One of our apprentices has gained knowledge of working in a cafe environment whilst also being able to transfer care skills into this role.

One of our apprentices has become more aware of how other people with a learning disability function in a work environment and able to offer support.

What would you say to encourage other businesses to offer apprenticeships?

Businesses can benefit from training staff on the job which boosts staff morale and highlights skills. Apprenticeships are good for reinforcing the skills of the team surrounding them, giving everyone an opportunity to learn from each other and feel like they belong to something useful. Even those people that are disadvantaged are given an opportunity to learn in a supportive environment, appreciating that every person has something to off when working in a team.

What Lily & Limes’s apprentices says

Daniel: “The apprenticeship has given me the opportunity for more responsibility, I’ve become more confident in myself. I’ve learnt how to do food prep, drinks training and till work. I help train other people in the cafe.”

Emma: “Since being on the apprenticeship I have gained more confidence in myself, this has given me the opportunity to be able to lone work when needed to. I have gained more knowledge on the care sector and also gained knowledge of how a cafe works.

The support I receive from my employer is fantastic, she is always there when I need a helping hand and she has helped broaden my knowledge on how to support the younger generation who have a variety of learning disabilities.”

For more information, please visit the Minstead Trust website.

Case study from Andy Biddle, Director of Adult Social Care

What apprenticeships do you currently have apprentices on?

Adult Care Worker L2, Lead Adult Care Worker L3, Data Analyst L4, Leader in Adult Care L5, Nursing Associate L5, Social Worker L6, Occupational Therapist L6, Chartered Manager L6, Public Health Practitioner L6, Project Manager L6.

Why are apprenticeships important to Adult Services and how do they benefit your Service?

Apprenticeships give people the opportunity to get into the world of work, or to increase their skills, confidence and competence in a chosen area. This benefits the service that we provide to the residents of Portsmouth and encourages the value of life long learning and bringing fresh perspectives and challenges to help improve our services.

How do you think your apprentice(s) has benefited from their apprenticeship?

Colleagues develop their skills and become more confident about networking that can also help them benefit from more experienced colleagues and develop their effectiveness as an employee. It also helps people feel that the organisation invests in them and is interested in the person developing with the Council.

What would you say to encourage managers to provide apprenticeships at PCC?

These are usually a proportionate time commitment with the potential to have a greater impact on the core business. Investing and growing our own workforce promotes stability enables our people to develop and progress. Apprenticeships can be essential for our local residents as an accessible form of learning.

What our apprentice says

“This was an opportunity to learn new skills, build experience, learn from others and build professional networks. Public service depends on continual learning and development to refresh approaches and manage and balance the significant change agenda that is a fundamental part of the environment.”

Case study from Marie Lloyd, Team Leader

Why do you provide apprenticeships and how do they benefit your team?

Working with children and young people who are deaf, have a vision impairment or both (multi-sensory impairment) requires highly specialised knowledge and practical skills. Apprenticeships allow new professionals to learn these skills in a structured, hands-on environment. There is often a shortage of qualified staff in sensory support services. It is also a very specialist niche area.  Apprenticeships help create a pipeline of trained professionals to meet growing demand. Apprenticeships offer an entry point into a rewarding career for people who may not have traditional qualifications but have the passion and aptitude for supporting individuals with sensory needs.   In Jess’s case the Digital Champion apprenticeship provided continuing professional development and a career development and progression of her existing HLTA skills to a re-banding of her role from 6 to 8. By training apprentices under experienced mentors, the team ensures consistent, high-quality support for service users.  Jess tailored her assessments and projects so that our service delivery was improved.

How do you think your apprentice(s) has benefited from their apprenticeship?

Jess’s job role was re-banded and this was a direct response to the new skills, knowledge and experience she bought to the role as a result of the apprenticeship  but it also encouraged her to explore and develop a new area of specialism.

Motivation and new career path but still within our team of benefit of service users.

1. Skills Development

• Digital Literacy: Builds strong foundational knowledge in digital tools, platforms, and emerging technologies and access technology.
• Problem-Solving: Learning how to troubleshoot and support colleagues with digital challenges.
• Data Handling: Gains skills in managing and interpreting data securely and effectively  – supported in gathering feedback – quantitative and qualitative from service users.

2. Career Progression

• Recognised Qualification: The apprenticeship provides a nationally recognized credential, boosting employability.
• Jess has recently presented at a tech conference on behalf of PCC in Birmingham.

3. Confidence and Influence

• Champion Role: Empowered Jess to become a go-to person for digital queries, increasing visibility within the Education and Inclusion services.
• Leadership Skills: Develops communication and mentoring abilities by helping others adopt digital tools.   Organising and leading tech days for the team.

4. Practical Experience

• Hands-On Learning: Combines theory with real-world application, making skills immediately relevant to the workplace.  Jess developed a communication platform for parents which has been very successful in organising social groups and trips.

What would you say to encourage other managers to provide apprenticeships at PCC?

Very easy to set up and implement – support from PCC Apprenticeships team is invaluable.  Can make a huge positive difference to the service delivery and team but also the apprentice.  Can lead to new innovations and direction.  Other team members can grow and benefit with the apprentice.

What our apprentice says

“I thoroughly enjoyed my apprenticeship and the valuable skills it has equipped me with for my role. The program was engaging and provided great opportunities to collaborate with other professionals, learning how they applied the concepts we were studying. The assignments encouraged me to reflect on how these skills could be integrated into my specific responsibilities, while the project element allowed me to deliver something meaningful for our team, something I might not have had the time to achieve otherwise.

I felt well supported throughout the apprenticeship and hope that what I’ve learned has positively impacted both the students I work with and my colleagues. By introducing new tools and approaches, we’ve been able to work more efficiently and explore innovative ways of doing things.

The apprenticeship also opened doors to numerous CPD opportunities and conferences, and I was even invited to speak on a panel. As a result of my development, my role was re-banded, and I was honoured to receive the ‘Apprentice of the Year’ award. I’m truly grateful for the opportunity to undertake this apprenticeship and am already seeing the positive impact it’s having on myself and those around me.”

Case study from Sam Rickeard, Housing Regulation Manager

Why do you provide apprenticeships and how do they benefit your team?

Apprenticeships allow us to recruit from a wider pool of experiences and skills to complement the existing team, whilst provided the training and industry recognised qualifications to grow capable officers. There is a nation-wide shortage of environmental health professionals, who were traditionally recruited in these roles. Recognising this and facing increasing demands in the service, the option to recruit apprentices ensures we are planning for the future and growing the team to meet these pressures.

How do you think your apprentice(s) has benefitted from their apprenticeship?

Apprentices have had the opportunity to develop in the role through practical experiences, training, shadowing and gaining exposure to all elements of the work. The qualification that sits alongside their work helps build apprentices’ industry knowledge develop understanding of the technical elements of our work.

What would you say to encourage other managers to provide apprenticeships at PCC?

Developing officers through an apprenticeship programme allows you to meet service demands and grow a workforce in line with your values and principles.

What our apprentice says

“My experience working in local authority started as an apprentice, initially in the social housing sector and then progressing into a management role in a regulatory service. The knowledge and experience I gained as an apprentice allowed me to develop in the industry and progress my career beyond the apprenticeship.”

Case study completed by Billy Johnson, Harbour Master

How has the levy transfer from Portsmouth City Council and apprenticeships benefitted your organisation?

Employing Ed our marine apprentice has allowed us to develop the marine services offered by the harbour team, increasing revenue from circa £3,000 in 2021/22 to circa £25,000 in 2025/6. Ed has quickly become a valuable member of the marine team, and having an extra pair of hands has allowed us not only to take on more work, but has freed up time to carry out more maintenance of our own assets in-house so saved money.

How has your apprentice benefitted from their apprenticeship?

Ed has quickly gained a large number of industry recognised qualifications, and developed his boat handling skills through spending a good amount of time afloat.

What would you say to encourage other businesses to offer apprenticeships through Transfer to Transform?

Taking on the apprenticeship role has allowed the Langstone Harbour to develop its business so successfully that we will be employing a second role in April 2026.

What the Langstone Harbour apprentice says

“Working at Langstone Harbour Board has allowed me to deepen my knowledge in the harbour industry; before joining Langstone Harbour I worked on cruise ships, and wanted a change that would challenge me not just personally but also professionally and Langstone Harbour has allowed me to challenge myself, whether it’s skippering a RIB or dealing with the public, there is always something go on in this varying environment, this makes every day rewarding.”

For more information, visit the Langstone Harbour website.

Case study completed by Andrew Carpenter, Director

How has the levy transfer from Portsmouth City Council and apprenticeships benefitted your organisation?

To help us add another member of staff to support the increase in sales and workload, who we can help develop a career, and hopefully longer term become a full time employee on completion of his training. 

How has your apprentice benefitted from their apprenticeship?

Beyond technical skills, Jake has gained a mature grasp of the “office environment.” They have moved from simply completing tasks to managing stakeholder expectations, such as proactively communicating realistic deadlines. 

Jake has developed the ability to see the “big picture” of a marketing strategy rather than seeing platforms in isolation. On a recent marketing campaign, the apprentice independently coordinated a synchronised rollout across email, Facebook, and Instagram.  

What would you say to encourage other businesses to offer apprenticeships through Transfer to Transform?

Utilising Transfer to Transform is incredibly rewarding. It is a seamless way to support local talent using unspent levy funds. The process is easy to implement with fantastic guidance and support from the team at Solent Business & Skills Solutions. It is well worth the effort to see the real-world impact on our community’s future.

What the Blended Digitals apprentice says

“Working with Blended Digital has been brilliant. I’ve gained massive confidence and real-world experience, allowing me to apply my marketing studies directly to impactful, live projects.” 

For more information please visit Blended Digitals website.

Case Study completed by Leigh Rowsell, Director of PEARL Fit-Out Ltd

How has the apprenticeship levy transfer from Portsmouth City Council benefitted your organisation?

We have benefitted hugely from the apprenticeship scheme, as we have been able to train staff at both trade and professional level. Thinking particularly of Jack and his journey, his development has been a real credit to him, and the company. He started with us as an apprentice joiner and is now going through his degree apprenticeship to become a Quantity surveyor. It inspires others within the team to want to go on the same journey and colleagues working alongside can see how they are also able to advance their role and training if they wish to. We have all been impressed with the way Jack has applied himself.

There aren’t a lot of people available in our field of expertise that have the experience on the tools that Jack has and then become quantity surveyors, a lot just go straight to university, which leaves them a bit lightweight when it comes to the knowledge of working within the industry. To take Jack’s experience into the role of quantity surveyor really helps.

We found that when trying to recruit already qualified people for this role we found that generally, they wanted high salaries for very little relevant experience in what we do. Which is why we decided to go through the degree apprenticeship route with Jack.

Having the support funding made available to us has enabled this to happen, as without it we would have had to seriously consider whether we could afford to fund it ourselves, which as a small business wouldn’t have been easy.

We have always taken on new trade and administrative apprentices every year since we started out just over eleven years ago. This funding has opened our eyes to the advantages of training in degree apprenticeships as well. To date as well as Jack we have also trained other staff to degree apprenticeship level, HND and HNC level in various roles.

How has your apprentice benefitted from their apprenticeship?

We have seen Jack grow in confidence since starting the apprenticeship. At first, he was a little tentative, as the last formal education he went through was five years ago. So, he had to get used to the academic world again. Credit to him he has really grown into the role, and we have noticed how he is applying the things he is learning to the role in the workplace, as well as bringing into the business new ideas and methodologies that he is being taught at university.

What would you say to encourage other businesses to offer apprenticeships through Transfer to Transform?

It has been a rewarding experience in more ways than one. It’s good to see Jack’s confidence grow, as well as his knowledge.

We have also been able to tell clients that we are training staff in house, they seem to be impressed with the support we are giving our staff. Some even take an interest and ask how they are getting on.

We also have the benefit of being able to keep our staff pool local, which is obviously a social as well as environmental benefit. The traveling distances of our staff is less than five miles for most.

What the PEARL Out-Fit apprentice says

Undertaking my apprenticeship has been a rewarding and transformative experience, helping me gain hands-on experience, build my confidence, and expand my knowledge. It has given me valuable skills and opened up exciting career opportunities for the future.

For more information please visit the Pearl Fit Out website.