Personal development for VW apprentices

Citation

(2003), "Personal development for VW apprentices", Journal of European Industrial Training, Vol. 27 No. 8. https://doi.org/10.1108/jeit.2003.00327hab.003

Personal development for VW apprentices

Personal development for VW apprentices

Brathay is to design and deliver a personal-development programme for every modern apprentice in the Volkswagen Group UK, as part of a three-year adapted modern-apprenticeship programme.

The training has been designed to complement an intensive on-the-job and classroom-based technical-study programme undertaken by all new technicians.

Brathay's bespoke programme equips employees with the skills to unlock their full potential, over a week-long residential course on the shores of Lake Windermere in the English Lake District. Throughout the programme, each apprentice develops core competencies in personal confidence, customer focus and team working using various personal-assessment, coaching and team-development activities. Exercises include ghyll scrambling – ascending and descending natural water features – and an exercise known as the pole, which involves jumping from the top of a 35ft telegraph pole, supported by ropes held by other members of the team.

These activities, combined with a range of assessment sessions and a final presentation to the managers, equip the apprentices with a new way of thinking about their daily work. They are also a part of every employee's career-development plan at the Volkswagen Group.

Mike Wilkinson, Volkswagen Group apprentice-programme manager, said that Brathay's programmes are an essential part of his company's modern-apprenticeship programme. "We understand that the automotive industry is changing and selected Brathay to ensure that all our candidates develop the personal skills they need to communicate effectively with colleagues and customers. By unlocking each apprentice's full potential, Brathay ensures that our apprentices drive themselves and the company forward.

"The Volkswagen Group UK is committed to lifelong development of its employees and our modern-apprenticeship’programme is the starting point for all our technical staff. I feel that Brathay's programmes build the foundations that enable both the company and the individual to achieve great things."

Godfrey Owen, Brathay deputy chief executive, said: "Our work with Volkswagen Group UK uses a blend of interventions to improve individual confidence, trust and support to create a highly skilled workforce for the company. This approach, combined with an intensive technical-development programme at the Volkswagen Group, continues to produce some amazing results."