Northern Ireland is home to remarkable businesses doing innovative work around the world. Raptor Photonics is one of them.

Based in Larne and with 35 employees, the company develops specialist camera technology used globally, including in satellites orbiting the Earth.

Like many SMEs, Raptor faces a familiar challenge: finding the right people to support its growth.

Finding potential, not just experience

When Raptor decided to expand its production team, apprenticeships offered an attractive solution.

The company's specialist technology means that even experienced recruits require extensive training to understand its products and processes.

"We'd be taking someone in with qualifications and training them up from scratch anyway," explains Liam Mulholland from Raptor Photonics.

Rather than simply recruiting existing skills, Raptor recognised an opportunity to develop talent from the beginning.

Through Workplus, Raptor recruited its first apprentice, Harry, who is already contributing to a camera product line supplying customers in the United States.

"We’ve got a great first apprentice in Harry – he’s got a good attitude and real potential. There’s a clear development pathway for him to progress both academically as well as within the company," says Liam.

Taking the heavy lifting out of recruitment

For SMEs, recruiting early talent can be time-consuming. Finding candidates, promoting opportunities and engaging with schools all require resources that smaller businesses don't always have.

That's where Workplus comes in.

Through its employer network, Career Hub, schools engagement and recruitment campaigns, Workplus helps businesses connect with young people who might otherwise never discover them.

For Raptor Photonics, Workplus was essential in helping the company find their first apprentice. Liam said, “We wouldn’t have been able to take on our first apprentice without the support of Workplus.”

For businesses without dedicated recruitment teams, having a partner that helps connect them with emerging talent can make a significant difference.

Advice for aspiring apprentices

“We got a lot of interest for our apprenticeship role – it’s important that young people know it’s a competitive process and they need to make a positive impression – both in their presentation and in demonstrating that they’ve done their research about the company.

“When Harry came to interview, he was well presented and showed a real interest and enthusiasm in the company”, said Liam.

Helping SMEs compete for talent

Smaller businesses often offer outstanding career opportunities but lack the visibility and recruitment budgets of larger employers.

As Liam acknowledges, “Now, we’re starting to think more about our visibility with future talent. I’m not sure our apprentice would have discovered us without Workplus.”

Workplus helps level the playing field, giving SMEs greater visibility among the next generation of talent and helping young people discover exciting opportunities on their doorstep.

And support doesn't end with recruitment.

Workplus members can also access practical advice, mentor training and employer events, helping them build the capability to develop and retain their people.

Raptor's experience demonstrates that businesses don't need large HR teams to invest in early talent. They need opportunities, a willingness to develop people and the right support to make it happen.

Workplus helps employers Be Seen, Find People and Build Capability.

Whether you're recruiting your first apprentice or building your future workforce, discover how joining Workplus can help your business grow.

Find out more: https://workplusapps.scoreapp.com/