How to become a board apprentice
Board Apprentice is a learning programme for our future diverse board members. As an apprentice you will participate in a Host Board for one year and learn on all the dynamics of a board room. During this period it is expected that you will be allocated a dedicated board member who will coach and guide you through the board meetings. But before becoming an Apprentice there is a selection process that you will need to follow.
Stage 1 Application
Contact the relevant franchisee within your country/area and let them know you are interested in becoming an apprentice. You will then be sent an application form. Once completed, your responses and your CV will be screened with a view to advancing your application to the interview stage (stage 2).
Stage 2 Interview
A date and time will be arranged for an interview, which can be in person, via skype or other.
Once you have successfully completed Stage 2, and after having filled in and signed a Placement Agreement, you will be included in a Board Apprentice placement pool. You will also then get free access to “Introduction to Governance” via www.gggovernance.com
Stage 3 Placement Pool
Once inducted into the placement pool, you will provide various opportunities on Host Boards in your area on an ongoing basis. It is up to you to let us know which opportunities you are interested in. You will then be put forward for the boards you have expressed interest in alongside other interested candidates.
The Host Boards will themselves chose which candidates to proceed with and may invite those for an interview before making final choice. They will generally let you know directly if they have chosen you as an apprentice.
Stage 4 Placement
Once a placement is agreed, an administration fee becomes payable from either yourself or your employer, depending on who is sponsoring the education. You should read the contract and supporting material carefully to ensure you behave in an appropriate manner and do not expose yourself to undue liabilities during your time as an apprentice.
The supporting material will specify what is expected of you as an apprentice during the year.
Make sure you use the year to the full and take advantage of all the opportunities connected with this education. Networking with board members and partaking in all activities to which you are invited is an important part of the process.
Stage 5 Finalised the year
The Board Apprentice Programme will provide you with a certificate confirming you completed the year as a Board Apprentice. You will also be placed on the Board Apprentice Alumni list, which will be available to all Companies and Boards involved with the Board Apprentice Programme. This will increase your chances of being offered board director positions.
Ready to Become a Board Member
This step is mostly up to you. We conduct ongoing research with various universities to monitor the effectiveness of this scheme. A key measure of success should be that our apprentices secure NED roles after completing the board apprentice programme.
