National Apprenticeship Week 2018

Apprenticeships have entered a new era. Gone are the days in which apprenticeships were considered for those who were labelled as ‘not academic’; they are now considered an agile and logical career opportunity.

Apprenticeships have become incredibly versatile and range from the very creative to the incredibly technical. Shakespeare’s Globe is currently in its first year of running a successful apprenticeship programme, hoping to nurture the next generation of thespians and creatives as a result of their involvement in the Apprenticeship Levy.

As employers and leaders, it’s important to consider this vast and diverse talent pool, which offers a huge opportunity for you to create a working environment in which apprentices will thrive, and potentially stay with your company for years to come. You can therefore ensure a pipeline of enthusiastic talent who will become your brand ambassadors and work for an organisation they are proud to be associated with.

This week is National Apprenticeship Week, which focuses on the importance of employers and potential apprentices to meet and discuss the options available for both parties. We no longer live in an age where convention dictates we automatically go to university after college or sixth form. Talented individuals now have the option to take control of not only their education but of their finances; being in a full-time apprenticeship removes the debt incurred by course tuition fees, providing financial wellness  – a common fear for employees and employers alike.

The theme for 2018’s National Apprenticeship Week is ‘Apprenticeships Work’, to showcase how they work for individuals, employers, the community, and for the wider economy. In honour of this, we’ve gathered some of our favourite content on apprenticeships and will be publishing lots more as the week goes on – be sure to check back regularly.

National Apprenticeship Week: how can businesses find their ‘Ronaldo’?

Today, live from the new home of Arch Apprentices at Imperial College, London, we heard an insightful conversation about apprentices and university options for those leaving school, as well as what should be considered for younger people and employers alike.

Why apprenticeships are an exciting opportunity for businesses

It’s National Apprenticeship Week #NAW2018 which provides an excellent opportunity for us to explore how apprenticeships are a great way for businesses to develop talent and invest in future workforce needs. Laura-Jane Rawlings, CEO at Youth Employment UK explains…

10 myths about apprenticeships

National Apprenticeship Week 2018 takes place this week from 5th to 9th March. It’s a week-long celebration of apprenticeships in England designed to showcase how apprenticeships work for individuals, businesses, communities and the wider economy. Sue Husband, Director of the National Apprenticeship Service busts the top ten common myths surrounding apprenticeships.

How apprentices can shape a culture – interview with Ben Rowland, Co-Founder, Arch Apprentices

Ben Rowland, Co-Founder of Arch Apprentices, shares what he believes are the key benefits to employing apprentices are to organisations, what his thoughts are about the Apprenticeship Levy. and how he thinks apprenticeships will look in 10 years time.

Volvo Group UK discuss growing their apprenticeship scheme

In this interview, Karen Bailey, Head of Competence Development at Volvo Group UK, explains how the Apprenticeship Levy is furthering the carmaker’s commitment to apprenticeships.

Understanding apprenticeships and the levy — a guide for employers

Apprenticeship reforms include the apprenticeship levy. Its introduction has encouraged a greater focus on skills, with employers keen to capitalise on opportunities arising from the new system. SQA has developed a Guide to Apprenticeships in the UK to help employers better understand the differences in apprenticeship policy across the UK nations.

How apprenticeships develop a more diverse workforce

The benefits that companies can achieve through hiring apprenticeships are well known: training can be tailored to individual needs, your workers are more likely to stay with you after the completion of training, and the new Apprenticeship Levy makes bringing apprentices on board even more financially attractive. Watch our webinar on the rise of workforce diversity here.

How can apprenticeships catch the best of the up and coming talent?

There used to be a school of thought that diversity – staffing a company with a broad range of people with a range of skills, backgrounds and outlooks at all levels, from the boardroom on down – was something that needed to be imposed on business. How can busy business leaders ensure they are casting their net wide enough to catch the best of the up and coming talent? One way is to offer apprenticeships.

Effects of the Apprenticeship Levy

The Apprenticeship Levy was introduced in April 2017, amid great fanfare. The government spend heavily on a direct advertising and outreach to businesses of all sizes to explain how the levy would work, what businesses should be doing, and how to get the best from the new system. So what has the impact of the Apprenticeship Levy been so far?

We hope you enjoy our content. Be sure to join our conversation on Twitter @HRDCommunity

HRD Connect Curators of the New Business Landscape. HRD Connect produces industry-recognized content for senior HR leaders. Through articles, case studies, Q&As, podcasts, events, and more, we offer truly progressive and cutting-edge insights designed to help people leaders address core HR challenges and add greater value to their business.

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