In the same week magic circle firm Clifford Chance announced they’re hiring apprentices to train as legal project managers, we had the pleasure of revealing one of our own apprentices was the worthy winner of this year’s Apprentice Academy Star Award.

And the award goes to…
… Daniyal Aziz, who joined the business in August 2018 and took on the challenge of a Level 3 apprenticeship in Business Administration through one of our business apprentice partners, The Apprentice Academy. Recognising all he’s achieved over the last year, Daniyal was nominated for the award by his colleagues here at Interlink Recruitment. After collecting all the nominees from other businesses they work with, The Apprentice Academy then selected a winner. This year it was Daniyal!

Why he was nominated
Daniyal has become a valuable member of the Interlink Recruitment team in the short space of time he’s been with the business. He has always taken a big interest in the way the business runs, what his colleagues do around him and is always keen to develop his recruitment as much as commercial knowledge. Since joining us, he has progressed from Business Administrator to becoming a Recruitment Consultant where today he works within our International team, working with candidates and firms in Hong Kong! We have all seen his confidence grow and his communication skills, both face to face and over the telephone develop significantly. He has since nurtured many client relationships, which have brought a lot of new opportunities for the business. Daniyal is also our youngest ever employee to make a recruitment placement! He has put a huge amount of effort into his role and has certainly seen the benefits of doing so.

His positivity is infectious
As well as learning the skills of his trade and developing his softer skills at the same time, Daniyal always brings a bright, positive attitude to his work. Sometimes, on those days when recruitment isn’t going too well, Daniyal is able to motivate and inspire. And when new members join the business, he is always on hand to assist them with useful tips on how they too can become successful at recruitment. He is a true team player and a role model for all those working in recruitment, hence we put him forward as our Star Apprentice.

The Business Administration Apprenticeship  
The Business Apprenticeship programme with The Apprentice Academy is ideal for those working in business, legal or recruitment support roles as much as human resources or marketing functions. The programme puts focus on adding value, improving efficiencies and strengthening communication and organisational skills. This is done through one day workshops covering time management, communication skills, problem solving, interpersonal skills and more. There are workbooks given with online learning and apprentices get regular one-to-one coaching with an experienced coach. Lasting just over a year, on completion of the programme individuals should be ready to progress into more senior support or managerial positions.

Apprenticeships at Interlink
Here at Interlink Recruitment, we firmly believe in the investment of apprentices and have seen first-hand the success they bring. A couple of our staff members have previously completed their apprenticeships and today work as successful Recruitment Consultants. Meanwhile, we have new employees currently at the beginning of their apprenticeship journeys, with the ambition of becoming fee earning consultants. What makes the programmes so successful and enables Interlink to retain former apprentices, is the clear career progression path available. As Commercial Director Daniel Rosenthal explains, “We give every employee here the chance to progress their recruitment career at a pace and level that suits them. If they need training or further mentoring, we provide it. We also welcome apprentices to join us and discover the opportunities working in recruitment can bring. The staff members who have completed an apprenticeship while working with us have become integral members of our team. And it’s wonderful to have Daniyal win the Apprentice Star Award, it’s thoroughly deserved, and we look forward to seeing him progress and climb the recruitment ladder in his new role within our International team.”