Amid a growing recruitment crisis across various industries, YMCA Bournemouth has chosen National Apprenticeship Week – which runs until 12 February – to highlight the value of transferable skills.

According to a recent report by the Institute for Employment Studies, employers identified that a lack of skills is one of the biggest issues obstructing young people from securing quality employment.

Nick Gillespie, The Junction’s centre manager at YMCA Bournemouth, said: “The recruitment crisis has accelerated the critical need for upskilling across the UK.

“While specialist skills are crucial to learn for certain roles, transferable skills are incredibly important as they can be applied across many different disciplines and, in particular, help those who may not yet know what their long-term career will be. Transferable skills can act as a gateway to helping someone ‘carve their niche’, so should be a core focus in apprenticeship schemes.”

YMCA Bournemouth’s apprenticeship offering unlocks various qualifications relevant to different sectors, including customer service, health and safety, and safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.

Nick Gillespie has worked at YMCA Bournemouth’s leisure centre, The Junction, for 23 years and is a product of the charity’s successful apprenticeship programme. He said: “I started my full-time apprenticeship at The Junction when I was 17-years-old and, over the years, I gained lots of skills and experience to help me climb up the ladder. I was promoted to duty manager at the age of 18, and became centre manager some years later.

“It’s all well and good if you’ve got the theory, but I’m a firm believer in the need for hands on experience. That’s why I think apprenticeships are great, as they allow you to gain experience and several transferable skills while working towards qualifications.

“The Junction’s apprenticeship offering provides individuals with a great variety of experience, and you get a real sense of achievement from working alongside a charity. You can meet lots of different people and get involved with various initiatives. It’s rewarding to know that you’re having an impact on the community by helping to improve people’s lives and contributing to their wellbeing.”

A total of 25 individuals have completed apprenticeships over the past eight years at The Junction, with each person gaining between four and eight qualifications. YMCA also encourages personal growth amongst its employees, with many opting to pursue further qualifications and continue learning.

To find out more about YMCA Bournemouth’s apprenticeships, visit: https://www.ymcabournemouth.org.uk/