Skills
Apprenticeships are the future for business: join us to find out about the many benefits for your organisation
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Ahead of National Apprenticeship Week, Councillor Mariam Lolavar, Cabinet Member for Inclusive Economy, Business and Skills at the Royal Borough of Greenwich, reflects on the benefits of apprenticeships for businesses and invites employers to the Greenwich Apprenticeship Summit on 5 February.
ational Apprenticeship Week, from 5 to 11 February, is a brilliant chance to learn about apprenticeships, explore opportunities for your business and draw ideas and inspiration from the experiences of fellow employers who have hired an apprentice.
This year, we are excited to be hosting the Greenwich Apprenticeship Summit with our partners London South East Colleges and Visit Greenwich. This is the first event of its kind in the Royal Borough of Greenwich, dedicated to celebrating and promoting apprenticeships and their employers. We will shine a light on the positive impact that apprenticeships have on individuals, businesses and the wider economy.
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National Apprenticeship Week is an important date in the Royal Borough of Greenwich’s calendar. Apprenticeships play a central role in building the economy we want to see – one that’s inclusive, sustainable, thriving and benefits all our communities, with no one left behind. Apprenticeships can be life-changing for learners and are proven to give businesses a massive boost, with 86%* of employers surveyed by the government saying they helped them develop skills relevant to their business and improve productivity. That’s why they’re at the heart of our work to ensure that everyone in Greenwich has the opportunity to secure a good job and to reach their potential. We want to make it as easy as possible for employers to create high-quality opportunities for residents, bringing real benefits to organisations. Apprenticeships have benefited the Council enormously, so we speak from
experience. Since 2012 over 1000 people have achieved their qualification with us and gone on to fruitful careers. In fact, many have now become managers and are employing and supporting apprentices themselves. Despite all the success stories, many local employers have told us that there is a lack of understanding and clarity around the process and practicalities of hiring an apprentice and accessing funding. This is why, as part of our event, we will be hosting a session dedicated to employers. This will offer a welcoming space to network with fellow employers and to receive guidance from expert advisors. This includes advice about funding available to help support with costs when hiring an apprentice. Ahead of the event, here are some of the many reasons why hiring an apprentice might be the best thing for your business:
