NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP WEEK CASE STUDY: AWARD-WINNING APPRENTICE AMBASSADOR
The theme for this year’s National Apprenticeship Week (4th – 8th March) is ‘Blaze a Trail’, designed to challenge old school perceptions of apprenticeships.
Just five years on from the start of his apprenticeship, Aaron Hopkinson is now in a managerial role at one of the country’s leading tech companies and inspiring school leavers to follow in his footsteps.
Who: Aaron Hopkinson, Brother UK’s first apprentice and now product and solutions manager – print and scan
Biography:
· After joining Brother UK as its first apprentice in 2014, Aaron Hopkinson is now in a managerial role leading the strategy for the company’s two biggest product categories in print and scan where his responsibilities involve launching new products to market and ensuring Brother’s advantage over UK competitors.
· He is now also an ambassador for Brother UK’s apprenticeship scheme, regularly speaking to school students of all ages about opportunities and sharing advice from his own experience.
· Aaron’s apprenticeship ran for one year, during which he gained experience with different teams across the business. In 2015, after completing his apprenticeship, he was appointed a role as part of the product management team where he continued to develop his knowledge of the business and skill set.
· In 2017 Aaron won European Office Products Awards Young Executive of the Year in recognition of his rapid development and obvious talent.
· Recognising the importance of continued development as he progresses through his career, Aaron is now six months into a Level 6 - Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship with the open university, which he completes within working hours with the full support of Brother UK.
Background information: Brother UK
· Brother UK markets technology hardware and solutions across the UK, employing more than 184 staff at its headquarters in Manchester.
· With 10 apprentices currently working in the company, they account for five per cent of Brother UK’s workforce and the business has plans to grow this to six per cent by the end of the year.
· Beyond the apprenticeship programme, Brother UK invests significantly in the continued development of its employees, running a learning and development programme which has picked up accolades including a Princess Royal Training Award and recently helped the company retain its Investors in People Platinum status.
Availability for interview:
· Monday 4th – Friday 8th March - Aaron is available for face to face or telephone interview at any time
· On Wednesday 6th March, Aaron is doing a talk as Brother’s apprentice ambassador to 50 local year 10 school children at the Brother UK head offices in Audenshaw, Manchester. There is an opportunity to film at this event.
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