Training & Development

How apprenticeships became a powerful development tool for Restore

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Overview

What began with just two learners has grown into an apprenticeship programme supporting around 50 people across the organisation.

By working together to develop programmes relevant to Restore's people, working environment and culture, apprenticeships have become an important part of the organisation's approach to learning and career development.

About Restore

Restore Information Management employs almost 2,000 people nationwide, providing secure physical and digital document and data management services to organisations across sectors including legal, banking, government and the NHS.

With more than 50 warehouses, Restore has a large and diverse workforce.

Chris Moore, People Development Manager, is responsible for learning, capability and apprenticeships across the business.

A key priority was creating development opportunities for people throughout the organisation – not only those already in management positions.

The Challenge

Restore wanted to give its warehouse and office employees clearer opportunities to develop their skills and careers.

Many existing training programmes available in the market did not reflect the reality of the work taking place within Restore's operational environments.

The business therefore needed more than an off-the-shelf training provider.

It wanted a partner willing to understand its people, working practices and objectives, and then adapt apprenticeship programmes accordingly.

As Chris explains:

“It was really good to speak to people at Seetec who listened to understand what I was trying to do rather than go ‘Here are all the things we do, take us up on these offers."

Restore also wanted employees to recognise their own organisation within the learning. That meant incorporating its terminology, processes and important compliance requirements into programme content wherever possible.

Key metrics

apprentices enrolled in less than 18 months

Multiple

cohorts learning across the UK

Learners

aged 18–64, demonstrating that apprenticeships can support development at any stage of a career

The solution

We worked with Restore to develop an apprenticeship offer aligned with the everyday roles and responsibilities of its employees.

Programmes include:

Business Administrator Level 3
Customer Service Specialist Level 3
Supply Chain Warehouse Operative Level 2
Transport & Warehouse Operations Supervisor Level 3

Rather than asking Restore's employees to adapt to generic training, the programmes were shaped around the reality of their working environment.

Restore's own Track-Check-Protect process, for example, was incorporated into learning content, helping make the programme more familiar and relevant to employees.

Chris says this has helped learners feel more comfortable and engaged:

“Learners love the fact the content has been Restore’d. It makes them feel a lot more comfortable in a learning environment.”

Support that goes beyond the programme

The relationship between tutors, learners and Restore's managers has also been central to the success of the programme.

Tutors take time to understand the organisation and provide additional support where learners need it.

Line managers have embraced the programme too, helping apprentices gather evidence and even creating opportunities for employees to spend time at other Restore locations to broaden their experience.

For Chris, that collaborative approach has made the relationship feel like much more than simply delivering a training course.

“Everyone at Seetec has been really responsive, really open… it’s felt more than just putting people through a course. It’s a real partnership.”

From two apprentices to around 50

Perhaps the clearest measure of success is the scale at which Restore has embraced apprenticeships.

The programme began with only two learners. In less than two years, that number grew to around 50.

More importantly, apprenticeships are now viewed differently across the organisation.

Senior leaders and managers increasingly recognise them as an effective way of developing existing employees, addressing skills needs and creating progression opportunities.

As Chris explains:

“The journey we’ve had has changed the way we look at apprenticeships.”

Development at every stage of a career

Restore's apprentices range from younger employees beginning their careers to colleagues in their sixties.

That breadth has helped challenge the idea that apprenticeships are only for school leavers or people entering the workplace for the first time.

Instead, they have become a way for existing employees to build skills and confidence while continuing in their roles.

“It makes no difference if you’re 16 or 64 – it opens up a different avenue for them.”

For Restore, that means employees can see clearer opportunities to develop themselves and progress – while the organisation builds the skills and capabilities it needs for the future.

Chris summarises the experience:

“The experience of all of us across the board has been superb. Everyone I have come across in the Seetec team have been first-class professionals.”

Develop your people through apprenticeships

Whether you're looking to recruit new talent, create progression opportunities or develop skills across your existing workforce, we can help you build an apprenticeship approach around your organisation.

Speak to our apprenticeship team