In partnership with Skills CFA, SFEDI Solutions has recently been commissioned by UKCES to develop a Social Enterprise Apprenticeship in Wales.

The latest publicly available data shows that there at least 70,000 social enterprises in the UK, employing almost a million people and contributing £18.5 billion to the UK economy (ONS, 2012). The People’s Business report – recently published by Social Enterprise UK – reveals a significant rise in social enterprise start-ups over the last three years and outstripping small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) for growth in the UK.

One of the key challenges to the development of social enterprises is the recruitment and development of people, particularly young people (Ashton, 2010). A number of recent research reports have highlighted that recruitment is a particularly difficult area for social enterprises. One of the main reasons for this is that the job role requires not only practical skills related to the post but a fundamental understanding of the values base which underpins the businesses operations of the enterprise. The articulation of this values base is a crucial element in many social enterprises marketing and sales strategy and uniquely this requires the ‘buy in’ of all staff within the business. Against this context, an Apprenticeship model of employment could provide social enterprises with an appropriate recruitment and growth strategy.

The framework will support the development of skills amongst new and/or existing members of staff to address the challenges and opportunities associated with enterprise development and growth, particularly in terms of meeting an increasingly diverse range of stakeholder expectations and needs. Given the focus on the development of enterprising skills, apprentices will work in a variety of job roles, particularly in smaller social enterprises.

As part of the development of the framework we will be undertaking consultations with social enterprises and other stakeholders to develop an evidence base around the specific requirements for the framework, such as job titles, job roles, knowledge and skills required by the apprentices etc. This understanding will be used to develop a qualification to underpin the framework.

If you would like further information on the apprenticeship and/or contribute to its development, please contact Leigh Sear.