Preparing for the future is a strategic agenda item. With this mind, Colt has been busy developing early career programmes to attract and inspire our colleagues of the future.
For us, “work experience” really wasn’t working – too short-term, too task oriented. So we first made the decision to stop ad hoc weeks and launch an annual five-day programme to coincide with summer holidays.
Work Experience Week offers 16-18 year olds a weeklong schedule of seminars, activities and workshops to develop skills that they can positively apply in the workplace. Sessions are delivered by our people and as for some, this is their first experience in an office environment – we were determined to make it as beneficial and real-world as we could.
Next stage down the path is entry via, The Colt Graduate Scheme. This programme has been launched to inspire, engage and establish an internal resource pool for our future. Unlike many other schemes, placements were allocated based on the result of a two-way conversation assessing transferable skills and Colt’s business needs. With our associates (we weren’t keen too on Graduates as a title) due to start early Mid-September on a three year rotational scheme, we look forward to reporting on their growth and success.
With the talent pool we have at Colt, it is important that skills and expertise are transferred to the generations who will be the face of Colt in years to come. It is also important that our people equally benefit from the enthusiasm and drive from this new intake.
Based on our experience this far, it should come as no surprise that we are looking to expand our scope to include internship and apprenticeship programmes in coming years. With a focus on customer experience and our commitment to making Colt the best it can be, our efforts to develop our talent will remain a crucial strategic priority.
Make Do
14 July 2016
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