A Worcestershire Chamber Strategic Member has successfully recruited two apprentices and one trainee in a single morning using an assessment centre approach designed to help employers identify potential rather than rely solely on CVs.
Trueline Products, a local manufacturer and Strategic Member of the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, had initially planned to recruit just one apprentice into the business. However, after attending a half-day assessment centre delivered by Chamber Patron Hewett Recruitment, the company offered roles to three candidates across different parts of the organisation.
The assessment centre brought together a group of pre-qualified candidates to take part in a series of practical, job-relevant activities designed to reflect real workplace scenarios.
Rather than relying on traditional CV screening or interviews, Trueline’s hiring team spent the morning observing candidates as they completed tasks focused on communication, teamwork, organisation and customer service.
Ryan Taylor, General Manager at Trueline Products, said: “We originally came into the process looking to hire one apprentice, but the assessment centre gave us a completely different level of insight. Seeing candidates in action – how they communicate, solve problems and work as part of a team – made it much easier to spot potential.
We ended up offering two apprenticeships and one trainee role, including someone transitioning into a new career, because we could clearly see how each individual could add value in different areas of the business. It’s a far more effective way of hiring than relying on CVs alone.”
The assessment day included a mix of group exercises, problem-solving activities and a customer service scenario, alongside an individual written task – all designed to reflect the realities of a busy office environment.
Candidates were assessed against a consistent set of criteria, including communication, initiative, teamwork and alignment to company values, supported by structured scoring and facilitated feedback.
Importantly, CVs were not used during the initial stage of the process, helping to reduce unconscious bias and ensure candidates were assessed on their performance on the day.
Laura Hewett, Director at Hewett Recruitment, said:
“For many employers, early careers recruitment can feel like a leap of faith, particularly when candidates don’t have a lot of experience. This approach allows businesses to see how people actually think, work and interact, which leads to much more confident hiring decisions.
What we often find is that once employers experience this process, they realise the depth of talent available – not just from school leavers, but from individuals at different stages of their careers. In Trueline’s case, they came in planning for one hire and left with three strong additions to their team.”
The initiative forms part of a wider effort to support employers across the region in accessing early careers talent and making apprenticeships a more accessible workforce solution.
The assessment centres have been part-funded by Worcestershire County Council, helping to reduce barriers for businesses looking to recruit young people or expand into apprenticeships for the first time.
As skills shortages continue to impact employers across Herefordshire and Worcestershire, approaches like this are helping organisations rethink how they attract and develop future talent.