Selco Builders Warehouse has marked the apprenticeship achievements of dozens of aspiring colleagues at a special graduation ceremony.
Hosted at Celtic Manor in Newport, Wales, more than 60 colleagues celebrated their success, having completed nationally recognised qualifications. The majority of the apprentices came from Selco’s Rising Stars scheme, a management training programme designed in conjunction with training provider Realise to enhance the careers of colleagues.
Other Selco team members recognised at the ceremony included those who had completed the merchant’s Driver Academy in conjunction with TRS Training – which offers people the chance to retrain and become fully qualified HGV drivers – and the newly-created Sales Academy, specifically aimed at upskilling members of the trade sales teams across the branch network.
The graduates, decked out in cap and gown, were presented with their awards by Selco’s Chief Executive Officer Howard Luft in what was the company’s second graduation ceremony of its kind.
HR Director Sally Kerr said: “The apprenticeship programmes we are implementing are the lifeblood of our career development strategy for colleagues and have been hugely successful. We have now had well over 150 colleagues partaking in apprenticeships in recent years and they represent truly career-changing opportunities.”
“Of the cohort of apprentices who graduated last year, more than 70% have already achieved a promotion and we look forward to seeing many more of this year’s apprentices following suit.”
Sally added: “Whether it’s completing the Rising Stars or Sales Academy programmes or having the chance to take a career in a different direction through the Driver Academy, colleagues are enhancing their skillsets in qualifications which are tailored to their careers at Selco.
“Every colleague commits a great deal of time, effort and dedication over a minimum of 12 months to complete their apprenticeship and we were delighted to celebrate their success with the graduation ceremony which gave them a deserved day in the spotlight alongside friends and family.”
The Rising Stars and Sales Academy apprenticeships see applicants complete a host of modules, including business management and brand reputation, customer and communication, product and services, stock and merchandising and team and performance. Meanwhile, those electing to complete the Driver Academy programme become fully qualified HGV drivers by securing a Category C licence, while the course also includes HIAB lorry loader crane training.
