SGS Apprentices Development Day

SGS Packaging Europe has apprentices based at our Maltings, Bridgehead and Tamworth sites, each working toward a valuable qualification whilst learning a range of skills. This combination of a structured training programme, individual duties and one-to-one mentoring enables them to earn while they learn, leading to enriching careers in an innovative and ever-changing industry.

As part of the apprenticeship scheme, Development Days are held that combine practical exercises with fun activities. These events help our sixteen apprentices to get to know each other better, share their experiences and work with SGS colleagues from other departments.

We recently held a Development Day in Hull, where apprentices from the three sites came together to learn more about mental health and wellbeing in the workplace. By making mental health a priority and ensuring that staff know how to recognise symptoms, the group’s members are now more confident in understanding their own mental health as well as being able to support those around them.

Over the last year, SGS has worked with Mind, the mental health organisation and our charity partner for the year, to deliver exceptional mental health training to managers and team leaders, alongside information and guidance available to all colleagues. By giving our apprentices proper training too, we’re ensuring that everyone who works at SGS knows about coping mechanisms, signposting and methods of support, which can make an enormous difference to someone struggling with a mental health issue such as depression, anxiety or bereavement.

Whilst mental health is a difficult and sensitive topic, we managed to make the Development Day fun and light-hearted whilst still getting the message across effectively. This took up the first half of the day and our apprentices greatly appreciated the knowledge and guidance that was shared with them.

The second half of the Development Day saw the apprentices meet members of our management teams from across the business. We believe that this strengthens our company culture of openness and collaboration, as there are no barriers between people who are just starting out at SGS and those who have been central to its growth and success over the years.

This part of the day revolved around a Task Master theme, allowing the apprentices to further their internal networks whilst completing fun and exciting challenges. All sixteen apprentices got to chat to and work with managers and senior staff from across the business, including the Senior Vice President of UK Operations. The tasks included half a team being blindfolded and applying makeup to the other half; flipping a blanket over whilst every member of the team had at least one foot on it at all times; moving baked beans from one bowl to another using chopsticks; and knocking down all three targets using a Nerf Gun in just three attempts.

They also took part in a blindfolded taste test, identifying food without being able to see it; creating a human knot and then untangling to form a circle without releasing their hands at any time; and other tests of skill and patience that involved bobbing for apples, a human traffic jam, a card sorting time challenge, solving riddles, making paper hats, guessing items in a box by feeling them, building a house of cards, and eating three dry crackers in one minute or less.

Completing a selection of tasks won each team a specific amount of time, which was then used for the final task. This was the Egg Drop, which saw the building of a device using any materials that would protect an egg dropped from the first floor landing. Each team received just two eggs, so if the trial run went wrong they only had one more chance to succeed. Points were awarded for appearance, practicality and thinking outside the box, with the teams using everything from cushions and bean bags to a collection of balloons, each bringing creative and hilarious results.

As well as applying imagination and innovation to a range of tasks and getting to know numerous colleagues in the process, our apprentices received a mental health pack that included information, signposting, tissues, sweets, chocolate, a stress ball and a fidget spinner. We’re delighted that they brought so much energy to the day and can’t wait for the next one later in the year.

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