Sylvan Enterprises of Sherwood Forest Ltd

Since Sylvan’s launch, almost 30 years ago, training has formed a key part of our growth strategy. Our recruitment policy has been to target local school leavers who, following an initial trial period, are employed on an apprentice training scheme and, if successful, achieve qualifications to a minimum of Level 3 Advanced City and Guilds. Each year, we contact all the local senior schools in an attempt to offer an alternative way of learning for students aged 16 who now have to remain in some form of formal studies. We operate our apprentice training scheme in partnership with North Lancashire Training, which is widely recognised as one of the leading furniture making apprenticeships in the country. We then continue to offer on the job training throughout our staff’s careers, and as a result 50% of our management team began their careers with the company as trainees in the factory. We have recently expanded our commitment to training and learning by offering, for the first time, a Business Administration Apprenticeship. We hope to teach our latest Apprentice what goes on behind the scenes in a furniture manufacturing company and they are currently working in the office alongside the Operations Manager learning all aspects of the administrative side to manufacturing. From taking calls and dealing with enquiries to learning the basic elements of how to put a quote together, we hope to give them a broad knowledge of the industry enabling them to progress into other roles. Many of our staff have been with us since leaving school and some since Sylvan was founded in 1995.