The Power of Apprenticeships in Our Business

At Lancia Consult, we believe in nurturing talent, fostering diverse perspectives, and creating opportunities for people to thrive in consulting.

One way we do this is through our Degree Apprenticeship Programme, which has already proven to be a game-changer for our apprentices and our business.

Robbie Adams, a Director in our European business, knows firsthand the value of apprenticeships. Before joining Lancia Consult, Robbie completed a degree apprenticeship in Digital and Technology Solutions with IBM and Exeter University. As a strong advocate for alternative career pathways, he has championed the launch and growth of our apprenticeship programme. Here, Robbie shares why apprenticeships have been so important to Lancia Consult.

Why Did Lancia Consult Launch an Apprenticeship Programme?

At Lancia Consult, we are always looking for exceptional talent and know that great people are at the heart of everything we do. Reflecting on my own apprenticeship experience, I realised just how impactful it had been in shaping my career. It provided me with real-world consulting skills, hands-on learning, and a wealth of opportunities early on in my career.

We saw apprenticeships as a fantastic way to bring fresh perspectives into our firm alongside our more traditional graduate hires. They also offered us a chance to connect with local talent in Bristol—people who may not have otherwise considered or had access to a career in consulting.

Once we started exploring the model, we realised it was far less complex to implement than expected. Excited by its potential, we advertised for our first Degree Apprentice in early 2023 and haven't looked back since!

How Has the Degree Apprenticeship Programme Grown?

In September 2023, we welcomed our first apprentice, Jaz. While we were initially a little nervous about expanding beyond our usual graduate hires, the experience has been nothing short of incredible.

Jaz seamlessly integrated into our team, balancing university studies with hands-on client work. Thanks to Lancia's support and academic learning, Jaz has developed into an outstanding consultant in a short time.

Since joining, Jaz has worked on various projects, notably making a significant impact with a Salesforce implementation for one of our third-sector clients. She took on the role of project manager, overseeing multiple complex technical workstreams and ensuring a successful delivery with fantastic client feedback.

Beyond client work, Jaz has also played a key role in The Gateway Project—a Lancia-driven initiative to promote social mobility in professional services. Through this programme, she has helped disadvantaged young people gain hands-on experience and develop critical workplace skills.

Following Jaz's success, we were excited to welcome our second Degree Apprentice, Reuben, in late 2023. Although he has only been with us a few months, he's already made a significant impact, delivering some great work on one of our large ERP transformation programmes, reinforcing our belief in the power of apprenticeships.

Should Other Companies Invest in Apprenticeship Programmes?

Absolutely! In a short space of time, our apprentices have made a huge impact—not just on our team and culture but also on the results we deliver for clients.

They bring fresh ideas, diverse perspectives, and the latest knowledge and skills from their university courses, directly addressing our clients' challenges today. Their mix of hard and soft skills is incredibly valuable, and they've adapted seamlessly to our fast-paced consulting environment.

We initially expected a significant overhead in training and support, but thanks to strong collaboration with the university, we've found the process well-structured and manageable. In a close-knit team like ours, our well-established coaching and mentorship practices were easily tailored for our Apprentices.

Given the Government incentives available, I'd encourage organisations to explore apprenticeships. They provide an alternative and effective way to develop future leaders and enrich the workplace with new energy, innovation, and talent.

We're incredibly proud of our apprenticeship journey so far, and we can't wait to expand the programme further.

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