This module provides small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with tools and resources to help them succeed in taking on apprentices. It includes a video library with practical tips for SMEs on apprenticeships. It also includes a regional apprenticeship alliance toolkit to help agencies support SMEs in becoming apprenticeship employers. The module concludes with case studies, testimonials, and templates like induction presentations and evaluation forms to assist SMEs in managing apprenticeships.

1. Module 5: KEYS TO SUCCESS
Practical Tools and Resources
for SME’s
Apprenticeships in Action
This programme has been funded with
support from the European Commission
www.apprenticeshipalliances.eu

2. The Marketing Mix
This module brings together key learning resources that will add
to the success of an SME taking on their first employee.
It augments the key learning in Modules 1 -4 through ….
1 Video Library of Resources
2 Regional Apprenticeship Alliance Toolkit
3 Case Studies and Testimonials
4 SME Apprenticeship Templates and Resources
It will also assist business advisors, trainers and coaches to
guide SMEs.
"The European Commission support for the production of does not constitute an
endorsement of the contents which reflects the views only of the authors, and the
Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the
information contained therein."

3. 1 Video Library of Learning
Our SME video library of learning is a powerful resource packed with practical tips to help
business owners to learn all they need to know about getting started with apprenticeships.
Link to our Library of Learning: www.youtube.com/channel/UCbUKo-BgIr8Nzy21apqbgHg

4. Structure of our Library of Learning
Video resources are organised into playlists in order to make the library user friendly and
searchable by topic/country.
For example:
If an SME owner is unsure about the benefits of apprentices and how they can work for their
business, they can consult our Apprentices – what do employers say? Playlist where they can
hear from a multitude of business owners as they share their stories and experience of using
apprenticeships to grow their work force and their businesses.
If a SME in the UK requires more country specific information, they can consult our dedicated
playlist (UK – Getting started with Apprenticeships) with information, tips and resources
specifically related to get started with apprenticeships in the UK. A playlist is also available for
Ireland, Spain, Poland and the Netherlands.

5. 2 Regional Apprenticeship
Alliance Toolkit
This Regional Apprenticeship Alliances Toolkit is
designed to build the capacity for business
development agencies to create and operate
support structures which facilitate and support
SMEs to become apprentice employers.
The toolkit is a step by step guide which enables
partnerships to be formed. Trailed and tested in 6
regions across Europe, this practical tool shares
best practice and replicable model for SME
Apprenticeship Support which can be easily
replicated.
What tasks are the Regional Apprenticeship Alliances working to achieve:
• map current apprenticeship programmes, incentives, support structures, actors, and
levels of SME participation in their region
• identify opportunities and needs particular to the skills (mis)match and supply-demand
of apprenticeships in their region
• share best practice locally and internationally about the role of intermediary
organisations
• develop the ‘business case’ to encourage SMEs to become apprentice employers
• build sustainable face-to-face relationships between intermediaries, VET providers
and SMEs
• develop a concrete action plan with individual and collective commitments in a
defined time frame

6. 3 Case Studies and
Testimonials
Margaret Reilly – Grand Designs Kitchens,
Drogheda, Ireland
When Margaret set up her own business in 2010 on the back of
the recession, she quickly became involved in training
apprentices. A huge advocate of the apprenticeship system,
Margaret herself trained as an apprentice and understands the
benefits from both an employer and apprentice point of view.
Watch video here: https://youtu.be/Pil82aKU2PY
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David Irvine apprentice with Fujitsu,
Northern Ireland
In this video, we hear from David Irvine, an apprentice with
Fujitsu and student at Belfast Met, who has had a great
experience as an apprentice.
Watch video here - www.youtube.com/watch?v=NL3IAkBK0ns
Louise Hull, NI Fujitsu Apprentice Programme Manager explains
their role as an apprentice employer.
“We work collaboratively with Belfast MET to deliver an apprenticeship programme which
equips students with the latest knowledge and key insights on ICT trends and advancements.
This, coupled with the hands-on, practical experience gained through working in Fujistu,
ensures that our apprentices are ready for a career in the fast-paced world of ICT.

7. While nurturing and supporting the next generation of ICT leaders is important to Fijutsu, the
apprenticeship programme is a two-way learning process. They benefit from an industry
leading expertise, and we benefit from their fresh perspective.”
Paul Hamill, Head of HR, Kainos
'Kainos has provided young people through the
Apprenticeships programme with the opportunity to
develop skills, achieve qualifications and enhance their
career prospects in a stimulating IT environment. The
programme has helped us train and develop the
apprentices we need for the longterm success of our
business. Our apprentices add to our organisation making it
more effective, competent and competitive by addressing our skills gaps directly.'
Joe O’Mahony, NIE Managing Director, Northern Ireland
Electricity (NIE)
Many of our apprentices have attained additional skills,
over and above their normal job roles. This has led to a
multi-skilled workforce enabling NIE to improve
productivity and business efficiency, meet government
and regulatory targets and deliver business benefits to the
company.
A number of our senior managers started their career as apprentices proving that an
apprenticeship provides an excellent platform for individuals to develop their career to the
maximum potential.”
Bill Cherry, Manager Director, Fusion Heating Ltd
‘As a Small, Medium Enterprise business we need to be able to exploit all market sectors and
our apprentices, working through the Apprenticeships programme, are a vital part of the
team in this regard.’
Peter Dixon, Group Chief Executive, Phoenix Gas

8. ‘The Apprenticeships programme has helped
us train and develop the apprentices we need
for the long-term success of our business. Our
apprentices add to our organisation making it
more effective, competent, productive and
competitive by addressing our skills gaps
directly.’
Paul Terrington, Regional Chairman of PwC in Northern Ireland
'In 2012, we took the lead piloting the Professional Services Higher
Level Apprenticeships alongside our more usual graduate
recruitment and the results have been remarkably successful. The
standard of applicant has been high and they have excelled in a
challenging and demanding work environment, so we are now
accelerating our Higher Apprenticeship recruitment through our
school-leaver entry programme. Apprentices earn while they learn,
gain an internationally recognised professional qualification in less
time than it takes to graduate from university and have a lifetime
career opportunity within the global PwC network.'
Case studies provide by NI Department for the Economy and
https://www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/content/company-testimonies-apprenticeships
David Recart, EEGGER, France
EEGGER is a wood company which employs 800 people just in
France. They manufacture wooden panels for decorative
purposes.
They employ about 20 apprentices all the time. They recruit 4
apprentices every year to train them over the 3 years of the “Bac
Pro”. These apprentices are between 15 and 18 years old. The aim
is to employ these apprentices full time at the end of the 3 years
as they are fully qualified.
Testimony: David is an ex-apprentice who mentors now the 4 new apprentices every year.
Watch video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNr_FtdXA_g
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9. 4 SME Apprenticeship
Templates and Resources
We have developed a series of templates and resources to assist the SME in taking on their
first apprentice. Please download and edit for your own use.
1. Company Introduction Template
A useful template for SME’s – use it to help
your apprentice get to know a little more
about your company.
2. SME Apprenticeship Induction Presentation Template
A useful template for SME’s – use it to help
your apprentice get to know more about your
vision for the new apprenticeship programme
in your company.

10. 3. Employee Learning Plan Template
SME’s can empower apprenticeships and employees
by creating and enabling them to create their own
Personal Learning Plans. The Personal Learning Plan is
a document between employee and supervisor that
captures the professional and personal learning goals
of the employee, aligns them with organisational
needs and priorities, identifies the necessary steps
and resources, and forms a plan to achieve those
goals over the coming year(s). We have created a
template to help SME’s get started with Learning
Plans. In NI (UK) SMEs and the apprentice will also
work with the training provider to agree a personal
training plan that covers the qualifications
apprentices will undertake as part of their
apprenticeship.
4. Apprentice Evaluation Template
Ongoing assessment of your apprentice’s
competence is essential to the success of their
development as a trained member of your team and
also to the success as your development as an
apprentice employer. Our simple one-page
apprentice evaluation template is an easy starting
point to get you in assessment mode, use it weekly
to capture your apprentices learning and
competency achievements. In NI (UK) SME’s are also
required to participate in regular face-to-face
review meetings with the apprentice and training
provider to assess the apprentice’s progress.

11. 5. SME Workforce Plan
Workforce planning is a process used to align SME
workforce capability to meet the evolvingneeds of the
business. It is very useful when planning to recruit and
engage apprentices in terms of the broader company
development plans. It is a forward-looking process
typically focused on assessing the workforce over a
three to five year period.
The workforce plan is a living document that is
updated regularly (usually annually) and adjusted as
changes in business needs or the workforce occur.
Use our template at the start and again at the end of
your apprentice programme design process to help
gauge your staffing needs.