Another way that SFIL drives up quality is by taking on only the best people as apprentices. In 2010 there were more than 250 applicants for just 30 apprenticeships. SFIL undertakes a pre-recruitment screening exercise to make sure only the best candidates are interviewed. This is producing results. According to the local college, the 2011 apprenticeship cohort was the best intake so far. Dan, who started in 2010, explains the process:
‘I started my apprenticeship after going through firstly a group interview, where everyone was really friendly, and then an individual one.’