Bennie celebrates 90 years in business this year, and throughout the past nine decades we have always placed people, our employees and customers at the heart of our family business.
Today, Bennie is a family of great companies, and it continues to be underpinned by our people and values, by creating an environment in which people aspire to come to work and whose work and development is recognised.
This National Apprentice Week (W/C 10th February), Bennie would like to take the time to highlight the fabulous Flo, who joined Ken Hall in October 2024 as part of her T Levels. Flo is studying Business and Management Administration T level at the local college. As part of the T level students are required to complete 315 hours of work experience over 2 years. 
When deciding what to do next after year 11, Flo explains why T levels. “I first heard about T levels when it was presented to me at school after I had completed my GCSEs in my one-to-one careers meeting. As I looked into it more I was more and more interested as it is a new opportunity that is only available to people my age and I thought that if I did not do it know I would miss out.”
Flo went on to say that it felt like a better option for her than doing three individual A levels, as with a T level students get workplace experience and feels passionately that T levels were a perfect fit for her because the course is both written and practical. Also, the flexibility of work experience to complement her learning was a better choice for Flo.
Flo’s work experience at Ken Hall has provided a valuable insight into the realities of the workplace, how employees acquire on the job skills and the importance of understanding how the business operates. During her time at Ken Hall Flo feels that her communication abilities have strengthened, and she has been encouraged to trust and use her initiative which has boosted her confidence and maturity.
Flo’s career ambition is to work in event management, and she believes that T levels will enable her to for fill her dream.
While at Ken Hall, Flo is being mentored by Leanne, who has welcomed Flo into the team.
“Other these past few months, I have seen Flo confidence grow as well as her ability to acquire new skills and think on her feet and use her own initiative. Flo has settled into the team very well and over the course of her work experience Flo will gain skills that she will be able to take into the future” explains Leanne, Business Administrator at Ken Hall.
This year’s theme for NAW is ‘Skills for life’ which aligns with the aim of T levels. T levels are technical based qualifications that were introduced by the Chancellor in the 2017 budget and the first qualifications being awarded in 2022. It is a 2-year qualification for 16- to 19-year-olds to help them towards the career they want by enabling them to develop their skills and knowledge in the industry of their choosing. Each T Level is the equivalent to three A levels. For more information: T Levels | The Next Level Qualification
