World Youth Skills Day

On the 15th July we marked World Youth Skills Day, a valuable occasion to reflect upon the ways in which we empower young people to pursue ambitious career paths and realise their full potential.

World Youth Skills Day serves as a global platform to highlight the vital importance of equipping young people with the skills necessary to enhance their professional lives. It not only supports those entering the workforce but also underscores the competencies required for successful entrepreneurship.

This event draws attention to key issues of youth unemployment and the promotion of sustainable development within the workplace, emphasising the need for inclusive, future-focused skills development strategies.

How Granby supports youth skills

As a people-first, employee-owned business, we understand the value of nurturing talent and investing in the future. At Granby, we are passionate and committed to supporting personal and professional development, whether that be through Granby Academy, internships, work experience placements, or our apprenticeship programmes.

Internships

Granby recognises the importance of providing young and aspiring individuals with meaningful, real-world experience. As part of our commitment, we offer a variety of internship opportunities and are currently proud to be hosting a summer intern from Blackburn College, Abdul-Hakeem Mahmood.

The internship is proving to be a valuable and rewarding experience, with Abdul making an impactful contribution to our business and marketing strategy. Spanning seven weeks over the summer period, the placement is designed to complement his academic studies by providing practical insight into the theories he has explored in the classroom.

Through this opportunity, Abdul is not only developing his knowledge and skills, but also gaining real-world experience that will significantly enhance his employability. His dedication, professionalism and developed skills throughout the internship will undoubtedly be recognised by future employers.

Abdul was selected for the role following a successful presentation and interview, as part of a wider initiative offering summer internships and work experience placements to students of Blackburn College. We’re proud to play a part in helping students build confidence, gain experience, and take meaningful steps towards their career aspirations. 

Find out more about the summer internship. 

Work experience

Granby is proud to offer work experience opportunities to individuals across the local community. We recognise that selecting a high-quality placement is a vital component of many academic programmes, and we are dedicated to providing meaningful experiences that support both learning and development.

Our work experience placements are tailored to align with course requirements, ensuring that each student has the best possible opportunity to develop their skills in a real-world environment.

Following Abdul’s successful presentation and interview, we are pleased to welcome two additional students from his presentation group who will be joining us for work experience from September. Find out more about our support for Blackburn College. 

Apprenticeships

Granby offers a wide range of apprenticeship opportunities, which have seen great success for many individuals. Granby is currently supporting two apprentices as part of our ongoing commitment to developing emerging talent. We would also like to extend our congratulations to one of our most recent apprentices, Tom Plane, who has successfully achieved his qualification as a Supply Chain Warehouse Operative. We are delighted to have Tom as part of the team and look forward to supporting his continued growth and success within the business.

Katy Adams – Finance Apprentice

Katy is a valued member of our finance team and is currently undertaking her apprenticeship with us at Granby. Since joining, Katy has taken on a range of responsibilities, including managing the finance inbox, processing invoices, and raising purchase orders. She is also gaining hands-on experience in financial record-keeping and learning the principles of financial management within a commercial environment.

Katy’s apprenticeship is not only helping her build a strong foundation in finance but also supporting her progression towards further qualifications. Having recently completed her AAT Level 2, she is currently working towards her AAT Level 3 studies in partnership with Blackburn College.

We’re proud to support Katy as she develops in her role, and we’re committed to helping her build the confidence, skills, and experience she needs to succeed in her career. 

Here’s what Katy has to say about her time as a finance apprentice: 

“Since starting my apprenticeship at Granby, I feel that I have made a huge progression in my personal and professional development.

My support network at Granby has been a key factor in my personal growth, my confidence being a huge part of me that working here has affected. Thanks to my amazing colleagues, I am no longer scared to ask questions from fear of them being ‘silly’. Instead, I know my questions will be heard and that I’ll always be provided with answers in a way that is easy to understand.

I’m so grateful for the opportunity Granby has given me to work in such a welcoming and encouraging environment filled with so much diversity, positivity, support and teamwork. There’s no other team of people I’d rather work with.”

Jack Hurst – Business Administration Apprentice

Jack joined Granby as a Business Administration Apprentice and has quickly become a valued member of the team. While studying towards his Level 3 Business qualification at Blackburn College, Jack is gaining hands-on experience across several areas of the business, including client services, reception, administrative support and customer service.

Jack’s journey to Granby has been shaped by a diverse background, including previous studies in IT, Public Services, and Animal Care, as well as personal development through the Prince’s Trust. We’re proud to support Jack as he builds confidence and develops the skills required for a successful career in business.

Here’s how Jack describes his apprenticeship journey so far:

“My apprenticeship at Granby has been a great experience! The 11th month of my apprenticeship is approaching, and I have developed both professionally and personally. My mentors have given me amazing chances to develop my skills whilst being super supportive and understanding throughout it.

I really enjoy working with everyone in my team; they are encouraging and easy to get along with, and we always help and support each other. The culture here makes it easy to ask questions and develop at my own pace.”

Granby Academy

At Granby, we believe that continuous learning is key to both individual and organisational success. The Granby Academy was established to provide our team with meaningful opportunities to grow, both personally and professionally, through structured development, practical training, and recognised qualifications.

As a people-first business, we are committed to helping our employees build confidence, expand their skill sets, and realise their full potential. Whether enhancing existing knowledge or acquiring new capabilities, the Academy supports a wide range of learning pathways tailored to individual goals and business needs.

Here are a few examples of how Granby Academy is making a real difference in the lives and careers of our team members.

Leadership and technical skills development through Granby Academy

The Granby Academy provides employees with access to a wide range of learning and development opportunities, including formal qualifications and practical training. One example of this is the opportunity to undertake a Level 3 Diploma in Leadership & Management, alongside technical training in tools such as Microsoft Excel.

Participants gain essential skills in leadership, coaching and mentoring, and conflict resolution, equipping them to take on greater responsibility and contribute more effectively to their teams. The Excel training complements this by enabling individuals to manage complex data, produce professional reports, and streamline administrative tasks.

The Academy’s supportive structure, including mentorship from line managers and a collaborative learning environment, ensures that employees are well-prepared to apply their learning in real-world scenarios. This approach not only enhances workplace performance but also supports personal growth, with many of the skills acquired being transferable beyond the professional setting.

Developing language and leadership skills through Granby Academy

At Granby, we recognise that strong communication skills are essential for personal and professional growth. Through the Granby Academy, team members have the opportunity to undertake qualifications such as ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) to enhance their understanding of the English language and build greater independence in the workplace.

With the support of dedicated mentors and line managers, participants not only improve their language proficiency but also gain valuable insights into leadership, management, and industry-specific terminology. This combination of structured learning and practical experience helps individuals build confidence, develop new skills, and take on greater responsibility within their roles.

Regular one-to-one mentoring sessions and hands-on experience ensure that learning is embedded in day-to-day tasks, enabling participants to work more independently while remaining part of a supportive and collaborative team.

The Granby Academy continues to play a key role in empowering our people to grow, adapt, and succeed, both inside and outside of Granby.

Why we support youth skills

Granby is dedicated to building an environment where its people feel valued and supported. To achieve this, we prioritise personal and professional development in various ways. Our Managing Director, Caroline, is extremely passionate about empowering the workforce and ensuring long-term job security and growth. 

At Granby, we are committed to continuously investing in our people by fostering their growth and supporting their professional development.

Granby is also part of the Government’s Commitment to Skills programme, which highlights the need to equip young people with the essential skills needed for the modern workforce. The aim of the programme is to drive economic growth by addressing skill gaps and promoting learning and development opportunities. 

This programme and our other initiatives are vital for our wider community. In recent years, there has been an increase in labour shortages. Additionally, Generation Z brings distinct expectations to the workplace, which can present engagement challenges for sectors like logistics and warehousing that are often perceived as traditional or less digitally progressive. 

Granby is passionate about showcasing the excellent career opportunities available within our sector, which is why we often partner with all education facilities to support young people and adults. We are extremely proud of the initiatives we have in place and recognise the value that they bring to our employees and, in turn, our clients.