Norse Group is the first company in Norfolk to be awarded accreditation under the Investors in Young People (IIYP) scheme (part of the internationally recognised Investors in People standard) for its work with schools, apprentices and Project Search students.
Norse board member and leader of Norfolk County Council George Nobbs said; “I am immensely proud the young people who work for Norse and of everyone at the company who has helped achieve this award, the first amongst the 30,000 companies in the county.”
HR Director Tricia Fuller said that Norse currently has 88 apprentices and 10 students given employment under the Project Search initiative.
“Since our apprenticeship scheme started five years ago we have provided around 500 apprenticeship opportunities around the country,” she said. This supports the work we do with schools providing mentors and work experience.”
“For the last six yearswe have also offered employment and education places for 10 to 12 Project SEARCH students every year, with over 70% of these young adults going on to find fulltime employment. These students have a range of learning disabilities and are often disadvantaged in the labour market. It is this sort of commitment to helping young people gain work experience and employment that has led to Norse earning this accreditation,” she added.
Norfolk Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive, Caroline Williams said; “The IIYP is a tough award to gain because an organisation needs to demonstrate that they are being innovative in their activity in supporting Young People.”
“This is a national award and we would like to show the rest of the UK through local companies being recognised for their work by gaining this award, just what a great place Norfolk is for young people to develop their skills. We congratulate the Norse Group for being the first Norfolk organisation to gain this award”
Emma Callaway and Jordan Codling both started apprenticeships with Norse subsidiary n-able in August 2015, working in the company’s warehouse. “It was a bit challenging to start with but the company has really helped me and given me support in learning the job,” Jordan said.
“I’ve been given opportunities to get to know different parts of the business, from arranging engineers’ visits to getting involved with billing,” Emma added.
“I’m quite new to Norse as I only began my apprenticeship in December last year, but I’m really enjoying it,” Lauren Kerr, who is working in Norse’s finance department, commented. “I am taking evening classes as well, which is helping to give me more experience and hopefully find a full time job at the end of the apprenticeship.”
Tracey Butcher ,Area organiser – UNISON Young Members lead (Eastern Region)said, “UNISON were pleased to be invited to acknowledge the success of the Norse apprenticeship scheme , and impressively one of the only recipients of the IIYP award. We very much look forward to continue working with Norse and supporting their apprentices.”