Top 10 Family Business Apprentice Employers for 2023

Arco, has been named as one of the top 10 family businesses in the UK for employing apprentices for a second year running. Arco's contribution to employing apprentices and its investment in the next generation saw the company listed by Family Business United - the global voice of the family business community.

The Hull-based company features in the 2023 report that examines the number of apprentices in the sector, the creation of new apprenticeships and the number of apprentices completing and graduating from apprenticeship programmes alongside the likes of Bagnalls and Hodgkinson Builders, with JCB also included.

Over the past six years, Arco has built upon its Future Experts programme as part of an ongoing commitment to developing the next generation of industry talent.

Darren Ford, head of organisational development and learning and development at Arco, said:

"We are incredibly proud to be recognised for a second year in the Family Business United list of top family business apprentice employers. Helping to nurture future talent and further develop the knowledge and skills of our colleagues plays an important role in the aspirations of the business and will support our ambitions for growth.

"We're seeing a greater uptake from a broader range of business areas now and this year we have committed to creating eight dedicated apprenticeship opportunities across the organisation, with a plan in place to increase this to 16 next year. I'm very excited to see both our internal and external apprentice numbers grow over these coming months."

Arco's Future Experts programme has seen over 42 apprentices graduate and currently has 23 apprenticeships ongoing. Apprentices have the opportunity to work in a variety of areas across Arco, including finance, digital, customer services and safety, health and environment.

Paul Andrews, Founder and Chief Executive of Family Business United, said:

"Family businesses are innovative and entrepreneurial and it is great to see so many providing apprenticeships within their organisations."

"This is our second report and it clearly highlights the growing importance of apprenticeships to family firms across the UK and the continuing commitment from leading family businesses to continue to invest in the ongoing development of the next generation of their staff. There are significant numbers of apprenticeships opportunities available within the family business sector in the UK today and as outlined below, they provide a fantastic stepping stone into a career with long term development opportunities that may even take you to a board position in the future."