Rolls-Royce and Outward Bound have worked in partnership to develop workplace skills and behaviours in Rolls-Royce apprentices since 2004.
We have collaborated on a series of programmes, from education and community programmes to induction and development programmes for their apprentices.
By coming through Outward Bound it benefits Rolls-Royce as all of the apprentices are given the opportunity to identify themselves, communicate with one another and actually build lasting relationships which can then lead to the business delivering their objectives and Rolls-Royce delivering their trusted to deliver excellence model.
Adrian Hunt, Manufacturing Service Engineer
Our partnership has enabled us to:
- Develop hundreds of apprentices whose values and behaviours reflect the key Rolls-Royce principles
- Engage with schools and communities to showcase the career opportunities that are on offer at Rolls-Royce, and to identify those with a talent for engineering
- Encourage a wide range of young people, and particularly young women, to find out more about the opportunities within Rolls-Royce.
Results
Speaking with confidence
90% of second-year apprentices believe their apprentice programme improved their ability to communicate simply and openly.
Improved recruitment of female engineers
And stronger links and a more visible profile with local communities.
Aware of their impact
100% of first-year apprentices better understood how their own behaviours impacted team performance.
Solutions
- One-week Outward Bound residential course for 14-15-year-old girls, with mentoring support from incumbent female Rolls-Royce apprentices
- Worked with The Trust to identify schools located in their site communities to develop on-going relationships
- Apprentice programme incorporates 1-day local primary school community project, coordinated and delivered by Rolls-Royce delegates
- 3-day induction programme for 230 engineering apprentices to establish appropriate behaviours and introduce organisational values
- 5-day apprentice development programme focusing on team based working with review and reflection sessions to reinforce organisational values.
Knowing your value
88% of apprentices reported increased understanding of the value they can bring to a team.
79% of those who had not been to Outward Bound reported an increase.
Confidence at work
85% of apprentices reported increased satisfaction with their level of confidence at work.
72% of those who had not been to Outward Bound reported an increase.
Communicating with purpose
85% of apprentices reported increased understanding of how to communicate effectively.
79% of those who had not been to Outward Bound reported an increase.
Outward Bound allowed me to collaborate with others and use problem solving skills to master the art of simplicity. I wasn't in control of what was happening all of the time and I had to adapt to new situations allowing me to be agile. I had to take a leadership position and be bold by speaking up and taking responsibility for my actions and those of the team.
Female participant, Rolls-Royce, commenting in 2022, three years after her Outward Bound apprentice course.
Find out more about Rolls-Royce at: www.rolls-royce.com.
More to explore
Can a week in the wild make you a better leader? Rolls-Royce thinks so.
Can a week in the wild make you a better leader?
How Rolls-Royce apprentices thrive with Outward Bound
Results from an evaluation showed that apprentices who had attended Outward Bound were more likely to report an increase in their understanding and satisfaction with their work skills than those who had not.