In his column in the April issue of PBM, Editor Paul Davies discussed National Apprenticeship Week and the plans of many merchant firms to attract a new generation into the sector.
As this issue of PBM was being put together, we were able to follow a number of the events, activities and initiatives that marked this year’s National Apprenticeship Week. The merchant sector appeared to be especially active on social media throughout the campaign, highlighting many examples of the apprenticeship programmes available at merchant businesses of all sizes and the opportunities for genuine career progression for those that have undertaken them.
By coincidence, the Friday of #NAW2019 (ask your kids…!) also happened to be International Women’s Day and, similarly, the merchant trade took to Twitter to give a platform to some of its many female voices, from those just beginning their careers in merchanting to top-level executives and all points in between.
Across both campaigns, there were some fantastic stories, profiles, Q&As, Twitter takeovers and photographs from the likes of MKM, Travis Perkins, Buildbase, Williams & Co, JP Corry, Lords, Murdock, Howarth, Selco, the Builders’ Merchant Company, Chandlers and more, with further input from the likes of the BMF and the Worshipful Company of Builders Merchants, not to mention many suppliers.
It can’t be stressed enough that attracting a new generation of talent into the merchant sector, along with increasing the numbers of women working within it, is a crucial issue to help confront the challenges it faces. Put simply, whilst experience and tradition should never be downplayed, an evolving marketplace also needs new ideas and different approaches.
Every item we read in relation to the two campaigns was an inspiration: young people with ambition, talent and endeavour; creative individuals breaking down barriers and blazing new trails. In the words of MKM’s Glenn Paddison, a former apprentice with the business and now Branch Director at its Anlaby location (and Chair of the BMF’s Young Merchant Group): “Maximise every opportunity to learn, say yes to every course offered and don’t let anyone put a ceiling on your ambition.” Equally, Buildbase CEO Kate Tinsley: “We need to educate that being a successful leader doesn’t mean that your characteristics have to fit into a box”.
We’ve often talked about the sector having an ‘image problem’ and not ‘selling itself’ well enough to attract new talent. THIS is how you do it. Showcase the programmes and progressive thought behind these stories, and utilise such talented advocates for the individual merchant businesses and the merchant sector as a whole.
These are amazing stories (and goodness knows we need a few of those at the moment), presenting passion and enthusiasm that can motivate and inspire. These messages should be shouted out all the time, not just for one week or one day.
The sector should feel proud of what it has to offer. Amplify it some more…
“Whilst experience and tradition should never be downplayed, an evolving marketplace also needs new ideas and different approaches.”
In theory, this was to be PBM’s first issue in the post-Brexit landscape. At the time of writing in late March, I have no idea whether that will be the case or not (though it currently seems unlikely…). Irrespective of whether you voted Leave or Remain and regardless of which political party you support, the inescapable conclusion is that this entire process has been handled so poorly that words simply can’t do justice to the incompetence on show.
As divisive as the referendum was, could anyone seriously have thought that Parliament would have handled things this badly? Contact us through the usual channels as we’d love to hear your thoughts.
