Crafting careers: The success of apprenticeships at Broadsword
Broadsword continues to foster talent through apprenticeships, allowing team members to develop while gaining both experience and training. As of National Apprenticeships Week, over 20% of the team at Broadsword are enrolled on or have completed apprenticeships, with apprentices both joining the business, progressing onto higher level courses, and existing members of staff completing apprenticeship courses on subjects including marketing, cyber security, operations, and management.
As an award-winning event agency, Broadsword has apprentices represented at all levels of the business because this truly adds value to the team, bringing fresh perspectives and skills that contribute to the agency’s success.
Events is an incredibly exciting industry which gives apprentices lots of opportunities to get stuck into the world of events and gain plenty of hands-on experience — from working behind the scenes to attending industry events.
Broadsword believes developing the next generation of talent and providing opportunities for young people is the future of the events industry and this has been a key focus for the agency. They are committed to helping develop recognised routes within the events industry, aiming to break down barriers to entry and progression and attract a broader pipeline of potential talent. This goal is largely led by Managing Director Anna who is a former teacher. She is on the board for Events Apprenticeships regularly attending industry events, leadership forums webinars, and local careers fairs to promote the route, even representing the events industry at a number of government events.
Broadsword will be further aiming to bridge this gap by partnering with a school through Future First, in which students can join us for work experience placements, and we can offer mentoring, access and knowledge about both the events industry and events apprenticeships.
It has been a fantastic journey for Broadsword seeing the apprentices develop both knowledge and skills but also confidence, completing their courses, and going on to do higher level courses. Broadsword has been able to offer two apprentices the opportunity to start a three year degree level course. Adam started with Broadsword as a Level 3 content apprentice and is about to start a marketing degree alongside his role as a designer where he has been able to create content for clients including the British Independent Film Awards. “Becoming an apprentice at Broadsword has greatly impacted my understanding of the industry and job role. I have up skilled in previously undeveloped areas and now show confidence through the work I produce. This coupled with the opportunity to take on a degree is why I am glad I decided to take the apprenticeship route to employment.”
Apprenticeships have created a culture of learning at Broadsword, which extends to the senior team with three team members taking the opportunity to undertake a management apprenticeship with Pearson. Rob, Head of Operations, at Broadsword, says “it’s been eye-opening to take a step back from the day-to-day and really focus on how I can be a better leader. I’ve enjoyed applying what I’m learning in real time, making decisions with more confidence and having a fresh perspective on the bigger picture. Knowing I’m investing in my own development while still delivering for Broadsword makes it all the more rewarding.”