THE BUSINESS
Kepler Interactive is a fast-growing global publisher and game developer with studios around the world. Built on a unique co‑ownership model, Kepler gives studios a stake in the business and a leadership role in strategic decision-making, preserving their creative independence and enabling them to make fun, commercially successful games that appeal to a wide audience.
THE CHALLENGE
Designing a new apprenticeship programme with diversity at its heart.
Kepler wanted to create an apprenticeship programme for their London headquarters, which is at the heart of their games publishing division. As a small London-based team of around 30 people who’d never before offered apprenticeships, they wanted our support to get it right first time. Plus, they wanted a strong focus on social mobility to diversify their business and bring fresh talent into the industry.
OUR APPROACH
Shaping and preparing the business for apprenticeships from the ground up.
As a three-year-old scale-up business that was new to apprenticeships, we guided Kepler through much of the process – beginning by consulting with various teams to get to know the business properly and really understand their needs.
With this insight, we designed an apprenticeship role and worked out how it would fit into the team. Next, we assessed the full marketplace for the L6 Chartered Manager degree apprenticeship qualification to ensure it was compatible with the role. Then we researched and screened – by analysing performance metrics and talking with providers – eight providers, recommending three for Kepler to choose from.
Working closely with the team at Kepler, we designed a four-year apprenticeship programme featuring nine-month rotations within different parts of the business. Successful apprentices will gain a Business Management Degree from London Southbank University.
We then took these opportunities to socially diverse school-leavers through a targeted outreach and attraction programme in 10 schools around London. Despite going to market in March 2023 – later than usual and close to students’ final A-level exams, making the timescale challenging – we were able to leverage our strong relationships and understanding of how best to collaborate with schools to make it work.
Our outreach programme and Kepler’s apprenticeship offering generated significant interest and we delivered the desired pipeline of 12 candidates into Kepler’s assessment centre, from which they hired two apprentices. From start to finish, the programme was just four months.
While Kepler managed the assessment days and selection in-house, we’ve provided ongoing support to the HR team, including helping to onboard their apprenticeship provider.
In September 2023, we embarked on Kepler’s second intake for two more apprentices starting next in September 2024.
THE RESULTS
- 10 schools partnered with for an outreach and attraction programme
- Total of 54 applications
- 40% of applicants were eligible for Pupil Premium
- 13 candidates in apprenticeship pipeline
- 2 apprentices hired for Level 6 Chartered Manager degree apprenticeships
WHAT THE EMPLOYER SAYS
“Visionpath have been an exceptional partner in helping us every step of the way with our apprenticeship programme. The team’s expertise, advice and passion have made the partnership so worthwhile; guiding us through government set-up, finding the right educational partner, working directly with schools, and really useful advice on how we support our apprentices during the process and once they joined the company.
The team are organised, responsive and clearly deeply care about the work they do! Working with them made our apprenticeship scheme a no-brainer and the talent they have helped us find is amazing – we have been blown away by the capabilities of our apprentices and they are now a fundamental part of the business.”
Ashleigh Webb, VP of People & Production at Kepler Interactive
Want to know how we can create and manage a bespoke apprenticeship programme for your business? Get in touch.
