An award-winning apprenticeship partnership

A partnership between The Open University (OU) and tech company Olamalu, has been capturing the attention of awards judges in the education sector. Firstly, the Oxfordshire-based company won the local SME Apprenticeship Employer of the Year award. Then it won the Department for Education’s regional award for IT SME Apprenticeship Employer of the Year in the Department of Education’s National Apprenticeship and Skills Awards. And finally, it was highly commended in national DFE awards to cap an amazing few months.

Half of Olamalu’s workforce have experienced apprenticeship training. Two employees recently graduated from a Digital and Technology Solutions Professional Degree Apprenticeship through the OU, while four employees are at different stages of the same programme.

The importance and benefits of developing your own talent pipeline

Kate Berman, who founded Olamalu with her husband in 2009, says they have always taken learning and skills development very seriously. “Right from the early days of the business, we knew learning needed to be a core part of the business culture.”

As a small, rural employer, Kate says the web technology business faces two big challenges – attracting and retaining tech talent and ensuring they have the tech skills they need in an environment where skills are evolving all the time. She said apprenticeships solve both problems at the same time.

Niall’s apprenticeship journey

As Niall Middleton progressed through his apprenticeship, he learnt a wide variety of skills and not just technical ones – he learned about dealing with customers, about team working and time management. Nial explained: “My skills grew and grew as I went through the apprenticeship and now I’m at a place where I’m proud to say that I’ve completed the apprenticeship and I have the skills to do my role to a really high level.”

As well as his web developer role at Olamalu, Niall is also now managing any apprentices coming up through the company, having discovered an aptitude for coaching and mentoring.

This case study was part of The Open University’s activities for National Apprenticeship Week.

You can read the full case study here and also watch an employer webinar which looks at what lies behind the success stories.