22ND JAN 2026
PKL Group: Rethinking Recruitment Through Apprenticeships
Whether you’re a levy-paying employer or an SME, recruiting an apprentice can feel daunting — particularly if you’re engaging with apprenticeships for the first time. However, with clear guidance and the right programme in place, an apprenticeship can be a powerful first step towards developing skilled, loyal talent.
Whether you’re a levy-paying employer or an SME, recruiting an apprentice can feel daunting — particularly if you’re engaging with apprenticeships for the first time. However, with clear guidance and the right programme in place, an apprenticeship can be a powerful first step towards developing skilled, loyal talent.
PKL Group, a Cheltenham-based, world-leading supplier of catering infrastructure solutions, adapted their recruitment strategies in favour of apprenticeships to build long-term capability within an organisation. We spoke with Megan Hedges, Talent Acquisition Specialist at PKL about the journey and the decision making process behind it.
What led your organisation to consider taking on an apprentice for the first time, rather than using traditional recruitment methods?
“We identified an area of the business where traditional recruitment had consistently been challenging, largely due to the specific skills and attributes required for the role. This prompted us to look for a different approach, which led us to engage with Gloucestershire College.
With guidance from a dedicated business consultant, we explored the available options and quickly realised that the Level 2 Property Maintenance course aligned closely with the skills needed to succeed within this department. This highlighted the opportunity to introduce an apprenticeship programme as an alternative to traditional recruitment.”
What skills or roles were you hoping to support?
“By taking on an apprentice, we were able to support a key skills gap within the Refurb function while nurturing emerging talent in a way that better suited our business. The training is tailored to our operational needs, embedding our values and standards from the onset. We see apprenticeships not only as a solution to immediate recruitment challenges, but as a long-term strategy to build a sustainable pipeline of skilled professionals and ensure continued resilience across the organisation.”
How familiar were you with the apprenticeship levy, and did being a levy-paying employer influence your decision to recruit an apprentice?
“Before this engagement, we had limited familiarity with the apprenticeship levy, so it was a completely new area for us. Having the GC’s business consultant guide us through the different options available and explain how the levy works in practice was invaluable.
"Being a levy-paying employer certainly influenced our decision, as it highlighted an opportunity to reinvest in our workforce in a meaningful and sustainable way. With the right guidance, what initially felt complex became a clear and accessible process. This gave us the confidence to move forward with recruiting an apprentice, knowing we were making the most of the levy while creating long-term value for both the business and our people.”
What support did you receive from the College to help you navigate apprenticeship funding, the levy and the necessary paperwork?
"From the outset, the support we received made the process feel straightforward and well-structured.
"GC’s business consultant visited us at our office to introduce Gloucestershire College and outline the support available. From there on, the consultant guided us step by step through the process of taking on an apprentice, including how the College could support candidate sourcing, the course requirements, and what we needed to put in place as a business to ensure we were fully supporting the apprentice.
"We were also provided with clear guidance on apprenticeship funding and the levy, including helpful information and practical “how-to” guides that simplified what could otherwise have been a complex process. Whenever we had questions or needed clarification, our business consultant was always available by email or phone to guide us in the right direction. This level of support made the entire journey smooth and easy to navigate."
How do you make sure that your apprentice gets off to a great start and feels well supported throughout their programme?
“We place a strong emphasis on ensuring every new hire receives a positive and supportive start, and our apprentices are no exception. Each apprentice benefits from a tailored onboarding experience designed to help them feel welcome, confident, and supported from day one.
“We take time to ensure our apprentice has exposure to all areas of the business, with clear touchpoints across different departments to build a strong understanding of how their role contributes to the wider organisation. They are also supported by a buddy within their team, providing a go-to person for day-to-day questions and guidance.
“In addition, we create a tailored development roadmap that allows the apprentice to spend dedicated time with key departments, gaining insight into different functions and building a well-rounded understanding of the business. Regular check-ins with their manager and our talent team ensure ongoing support, open communication, and the flexibility to adapt to the apprentice’s needs throughout their programme.”
How has your apprentice settled into the team so far?
“Our apprentice has settled into the team extremely well and has exceeded our expectations. They have built strong relationships across the business and shown a real commitment to learning and developing their skill set.
“Seeing the positive impact so early on has opened our eyes to the wider potential of bringing new talent into the organisation. By introducing apprenticeships in targeted areas, we’re able to attract individuals who can grow with the business while directly addressing specific skills gaps. This approach not only strengthens our internal capability but also supports a culture of continuous learning and long-term career development.”
What would you say to other employers—particularly those new to apprenticeships—who are considering it for their organisation?
“We would absolutely encourage other employers, particularly those new to apprenticeships, to explore this route. Taking on an apprentice has been one of the best decisions we’ve made as a business.
“It’s incredibly rewarding to see someone develop, build new skills, and grow both professionally and personally. Beyond that, apprenticeships provide a practical way to build talent that’s aligns to your business needs and values, while addressing skills gaps in a sustainable way.
“The process itself was straightforward, and the support from Gloucestershire College made a real difference. We would strongly recommend leaning on your college representative for guidance throughout the journey, their knowledge, experience, and ongoing support remove much of the uncertainty and make the process far easier than many employers expect.”
To find out more about GC’s apprenticeships and how we can help your company with skills development, email: employer.training@gloscol.ac.uk, call 0345 1552020 or visit www.gloscol.ac.uk/employers
