National Apprenticeship Week (5 to 11 February) is a celebration of apprenticeships, shining a light on the positive impact they make to individuals, businesses and the wider community.
This year’s theme is ‘Skills for Life’, highlighting how apprenticeships can help both young people and adults looking to take their career in a new direction and earn while they learn.
Skills Launchpad Plymouth has a huge wealth of resources available to help anyone aged over 16 years old who is interested in completing an apprenticeship and will be running a series of events throughout the week to help people find the opportunities that suit them.
This includes drop-in events focusing on construction and health and social care apprenticeships, as well as Youth Hub sessions aimed at 16- to 24-year-olds and guidance sessions helping people apply and interview for roles. There is also virtual support available for anyone who needs it.
Skills Launchpad Plymouth also produce a regular bulletin capturing all of the apprenticeship roles currently available in the city, with over 300 vacancies as of February 2024.
Councillor Sally Cresswell, Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Apprenticeships said: “The apprenticeship agenda is right at the heart of our plans for Plymouth – this opportunity to ‘earn while you learn’ can help both young people to start their career journey and adults to change career direction, developing highly skilled individuals which is key to our economic success.
“For businesses, apprenticeships are not only a good way to bring new talent into the workforce, but also a great option to upskill existing members of the team to ensure that they have future ready skills as job roles evolve and technology advances the way we work. National Apprenticeship Week with the theme ‘Skills for Life’ is a great opportunity to showcase what we are doing and to celebrate the achievements of our apprentices, supported by our local businesses and training providers.
“I am delighted to be involved as the Cabinet member for Education, Skills and Apprenticeships. Our Skills team is committed to driving further growth in apprenticeships at all levels with a key focus on increasing higher and degree level opportunities, along with investment in supported apprenticeships.”
Skills Launchpad Plymouth also has an Employer Hub for businesses, with a range of free resources to help upskill existing members of staff and future proof their business as job roles and technology evolves.
Later this week, employers in the manufacturing and construction industries will also celebrate the city’s best apprentices at Plymouth’s Apprentice of the Year Awards 2024, which is jointly organised by Building Plymouth and the Plymouth Manufacturers Group.
Find out more about apprenticeships in Plymouth at www.skillslaunchpadplym.co.uk/national-apprenticeship-week.