Stuart Level 3 Team Leader apprentice “The apprenticeship has been very helpful in me gaining the knowledge and confidence in becoming the best Team Leader I can be. I have learned a lot about myself and look forward to continuing my learning during the course. Both Zebra and Preston College have been very supportive during this time to give me the support for my apprenticeship. I would recommend this course to anybody who is looking to progress within their business.” 07 Employer Spotlight Zebra Technologies Zebra Technologies is a global business, serving customers of all sizes – including 86% of the Fortune 500 – with an award-winning portfolio of hardware, software, services and solutions that digitize and automate workflows. Zebra’s Preston facility includes manufacturing, device repair, warehousing and an office-based team. The manufacturing team produce labels, tickets, tags and wristbands which are later barcode-printed by a customer using a Zebra printer and scanned using a Zebra device. The repair team service and repair these devices and the warehouse team ensure customers receive what they need when they need it. Their office team support customers across EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) providing solutions which enable customers to manage their businesses successfully. With a recent recruitment drive at their Preston facility, Zebra Technologies approached Preston College to attract local talent through hiring a group of apprentices - to provide opportunities for growth and development and to help support them build this new and crucial pipeline of talent for their business. Amy Kearns, Senior HR Representative at Zebra Technologies says: “We wanted to build a partnership with a local college. We were also impressed with the investment in the STEM centre and enthusiastic dedicated staff. Hiring apprentices is a productive and effective way to grow talent and develop a motivated, skilled and qualified workforce.” Amy continues: “Apprentices come with fresh ideas and new perspectives. They are eager to learn and grow and so it is vital that, as a global organisation, we are future proofing the business and hiring new talent and a new generation of workers that will help us grow. Not only that, apprentices are able to teach us new ways, innovative ways and relay the new technologies in a way that suits our business needs.” Zebra Technologies currently have a team of nine apprentices; two (Level 3) Engineering Technicians and seven (Level 3) Team Leaders with plans to recruit an apprentice in their Supplies Manufacturing team later this year. Mark Taylor, Head of School for STEM says, “The College are working closely with Zebra to design and deliver bespoke people focused workshops to their workforce. Workshops have included self-awareness and impact on others, ‘Principals of Communication Skills Within the Workplace’ and ‘Presenting for Success’. Together with Zebra Technologies we are committed to developing and providing learning opportunities for our existing team members”. Marks adds: “Working in partnership with an organisation such as Zebra Technologies means that we can offer apprentices the invaluable opportunity to work for a global organisation, that’s located on our doorstep. As apprentices, they will work alongside Zebra’s industry qualified staff whilst training and working towards their qualifications, learning the theory behind their industry and applying it to their job role which is wholly beneficial for the organisation.” Amy continues: “Apprenticeships give people opportunities to gain hands on experience while undertaking recognised qualifications using our apprenticeship levy. The knowledge and skills they develop are shared and implemented in the workplace which is valuable to the growth of our organisation”.
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