We’ve recently returned from running two Apprenticeship Assessment Days on behalf of Babcock International. It’s a busy couple of days but one we really look forward to. The commitment to giving all attendees the opportunity to shine is 100% and it is our privilege to be working with Babcock International for the third year running. How many other companies nationwide take on over 100 apprentices annually?
How does Eventus help Babcock with their selection?
We help to run a final selection weekend. From the thousands that apply, we provide a team-working day where candidates work together to complete problem-solving exercises, and assessors carefully observe them working together.
What are Babcock looking for?
- a willingness to learn
- ability to follow instructions and work safely
- ability to work as part of a team
- thoughtful and respectful of others
- >personal pride and self discipline
- reliability
- have pride in delivering a quality service/product
Why does it work?
A considerable investment goes into each Apprentice so selecting the right candidates is vital. Babcock tell us that our Apprentice Assessment Days have made a significant impact on selecting the right Apprentices who then go on to thrive in long-term careers with Babcock.
Assessors can get a real feel for a candidate and can compare to those that seem to have similar skills on paper. Working on challenges as part of a team displays interactions between peers that may not be seen otherwise. Plus, the experiential nature of the tasks necessitates creative problem-solving as well as the ability to follow instructions, planning, careful execution and teamwork. These skills can be clearly seen on an experiential assessment day. I am reminded of one particular youngster who was so caught up in the problem-solving challenge that when they had finished; ecstatic with success, he got hold of a ball, lying about nearby, and with one huge, exuberant kick, placed the ball on the roof of the venue, closely missing a large window. mmm.. interesting dilemma – “passionate” or “lack of discipline”?
Getting recruitment right at the start helps to lower turnover of staff and meet expectations of all parties involved. For more information on Apprentice Assessment Days please contact us.