Business Name: Knox & Wells Limited.
Business Location: Cardiff
Business Contact: Gareth Davies
Graduate Job Title(s): Graduate Site Engineer
Graduate Name: Sam Phillips
Have you used any other graduate schemes? (if so, how many)
“No only the CCR scheme.”
What were your thoughts/feelings around taking on employees/graduates for roles/schemes during a pandemic?
“We had committed prior to the pandemic and continued working throughout so we were quite happy to take on a graduate.”
What attracted you to the Venture Graduate Scheme?
“The local support and the brand strength associated with the scheme.”
Why did you decide to get involved with the Venture Graduate Scheme?
“We received the details via contacts with the CITB Wales Council.”
How was your experience using the Venture Graduate Scheme, especially during a pandemic?
“Very positive.”
Is there anything you would say to other businesses thinking of taking on a graduate through the Venture Graduate Scheme?
“From an SME’s perspective, given our lack of an in-house HR resource it helped enormously in attracting and securing the right candidate.”
What would your advice be to graduates that are looking to secure their first job? Do you have any top tips?
“The clinching factor between two very close candidates (qualification wise), was the successful candidate’s positivity. He genuinely seemed keen to start with us.”
How did the recruiting support help your business? And, would you make any changes?
“It provided a focus and resource. As an SME we get heavily involved in the day to day running of the business and less immediate actions take a back seat. CCR’s support worked alongside us to maintain momentum, we wouldn’t have got there otherwise.”
Have you registered for the Global Welsh Mentoring Scheme? What are you hoping to achieve from the mentoring on offer?
“Yes we have, we’re keeping an open mind on its benefits for us as a local SME.”
Was it a smooth process for your graduate to complete the ILM qualification? Has it increased their confidence and leadership skills?
“There was only a limited effect on the graduate’s work availability while he undertook the ILM course. He has developed well in his first year with us.”
Tell us about your experience working with your graduate over the past 6 months? And, were you in the position to extend their contract and/or promote them?
“The experience has been a positive one, he has been taken on as a full-time member of staff and is in our development programme.”
Would you recommend us to others? And would you use us again?
“Yes and we would definitely use the scheme again.”
One sentence to sum up your Venture Graduate Scheme experience…
“For an SME the CCR scheme provides essential support to assist your business development.”
One word that sums up your businesses current experience of the CCR graduate scheme…
“Supportive”
Anything else you would like to add?
“We received the information from the contacts in the CITB Wales Council. I’m not sure we would have found out about it otherwise. It may be worth looking at how it’s publicised?”
