National Apprenticeship Week: A Catch-up with Sarah Williams

We’re wrapping up an activity-packed National Apprenticeship Week with an interview with our Chief People Officer, Sarah Williams. During last week’s Apprentice of the Year Awards, we caught up with Sarah to reflect on the success of the event and gather key insight into what the future holds for our apprentices.  

Why are the Apprenticeship of the Year Awards important for both the apprentices and OCS?

For the apprentices, this is a chance to celebrate their achievements. They have come so far on their journeys. It’s incredible that they all get to stand in front an audience and share their achievements with us. In many cases, they have not only managed to study towards their apprenticeships but also continued to develop in their roles, and some have even stepped into new ones. On top of all of that, they have dealt with all kinds of challenges in their personal lives. From OCS’s perspective, we are developing future talent. We are investing in our colleagues and supporting future growth. 

How do these awards contribute to the overall development and motivation of apprentices at OCS? 

The awards play a crucial role in the development and motivation of OCS apprentices. They acknowledge hard work, boost confidence and inspire continued success. Additionally, they highlight the potential and dedication of apprentices, making them more visible within our organisation and opening new career opportunities. We heard many examples of apprentices stepping into new roles and gaining valuable experience.  Most importantly, these awards should inspire our current and new apprentices to pursue further education and training.   

What role do you see apprenticeships playing in the future workforce development at OCS? 

Apprenticeships are pivotal for the future workforce development at OCS. They offer a structured pathway for individuals to gain practical experience, earn a living and achieve qualifications, feeding our talent pipeline and demonstrating our commitment to inclusivity and personal development. We need more apprenticeships and must encourage others to step forward and learn. Not everyone joins a business with a degree or formal qualifications. Many start their careers in the world of work. By offering apprenticeships, we provide opportunities to learn skills and gain qualifications, enabling future growth.  

Our commitment to apprentices reflects our Retain, Grow and Gain strategy. Investing in apprenticeships encourages growth and retaining our colleagues by providing access to new skills and qualifications. This approach ensures that we position ourselves well in the market to attract new talent and those eager to start their careers.   

As OCS’s Chief People Officer, what do TRUE Values mean to you, and how do these awards reflect those values? 

Our values of Trust, Respect, Unity, and Empowerment are the cornerstone of a positive workplace culture. Trust is the foundation of strong relationships within the organisation, collaborating to deliver on promises, taking responsibility and acting with integrity. It instils confidence in our colleagues through valued contributions. The Apprentice of the Year awards celebrates apprentices who embody these qualities.  Respect values unique contributions, perspectives and experiences, building an inclusive and fair environment. Recognising the Apprentice of the Year means honouring individuals who have not only excelled in their work but have done so with respect for their peers and the learning process.  

Unity emphasises collaboration, teamwork and a sense of belonging. We achieve greater results when we work together towards common goals. The awards acknowledge those who have worked collaboratively with others, shown leadership in teamwork, and contributed to a cohesive, supportive work environment.  Empowerment means providing individuals with the tools, resources and support to succeed and make decisions. It’s about allowing people to take ownership of their work and career development. The awards aim to empower, spotlighting apprentices who have taken initiative, shown growth and demonstrated the ability to take ownership of their development and learning. 

In essence, the Apprentice of the Year awards celebrates TRUE values in action and highlights the potential of future leaders who will carry these values forward into their careers. 

What future trends in workforce development do you foresee, and how is OCS preparing its apprentices for these changes? 

I foresee a significant shift in future years, with fewer students opting for university due to affordability. More people want to start work earlier and experience life in a working environment. As a result, the apprenticeship offer will become more prevalent. We can support an individual’s development while ensuring it aligns with the career opportunity we offer. Therefore, I believe apprenticeships will be an area of growth. OCS has set targets to increase the number of apprenticeships by the end of the year, and I’m fully committed to seeing us achieve that, not just this year but every year. Our apprenticeships enable our colleagues to do their jobs well, learn a new skill and gain a qualification. I encourage colleagues who want to know what apprenticeship options are available to them to reach out to their manager and get curious!