A SOURCE FOR GOOD SPANNING TWO DECADES

The Source Skills Academy celebrates 20 years of getting people into work, nurturing talent and building businesses

After two decades of improving lives and skills – and helping local businesses grow – The Source Skills Academy has much to shout about in its 20th year of upskilling the Sheffield City Region. A registered charity which reinvests its profits to create a self-sustaining organisation that supports the local community, The Source launched in February 2003, with MP David Blunkett cutting the ribbon to set the Meadowhall Way academy on its important journey.

The academy swiftly made an impact on communities across the region, connecting people in disadvantaged towns and villages to new opportunities, supporting local businesses, and encouraging inward investment. It went on to forge strong connections with local schools and colleges, local councils, charities, and organisations such as Job Centre Plus, as well as becoming an important contributor to regional, social and economic regeneration strategies. Businesses large and small have partnered with The Source and strengthened their workforces, from multi-national corporations to leading local lights such as award-winning ASSEAL in Rotherham and B.Braun Medical in Chapeltown, and new startups like Sheffield’s Cloud9 Fulfilment.

Tricia Smith, The Source’s CEO, says that “having an enjoyable job gives people a sense of worth. In turn, this helps businesses to drive the local economy. Over 20 years, we have amassed unbeatable skills and have built a deep understanding of what employers need and what helps communities thrive.

“We have helped to transform the lives of more than 10,000 people: 5,642 apprentices have gained qualifications; 4,099 workers have been upskilled; and 531 NEETs who didn’t achieve at school or college are thriving after being made ‘work ready’ via our Traineeships scheme.

“Our success rates have consistently exceeded national averages and we start our anniversary year at the top of our game. Last year we achieved our best-ever outcomes with 78.8% of learners completing their apprenticeships, an 11% improvement on previous years. Of those achievers, 78% gained Distinctions.

“In addition, we received an Ofsted rating of Good and added to many years of award wins. One learner won Best Intermediate Apprentice in Yorkshire and the Humber, two won at the Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber awards, and apprentices and businesses we support won seven of the 13 categories at the South Yorkshire Apprenticeship Awards. We are building on this success with bold future plans to be announced in the summer.”

Anniversary events kick off during National Apprenticeship Week (Feb 6th – 12th) with The Source’s first Apprenticeship Awards. On February 10th – N.A.W Celebration Day – 64 past achievers will gather at the academy to receive certificates for their accomplishments. Best Intermediate, Advanced and Higher Apprentices, Best Digital Marketing Apprentices, and Best Healthcare Apprentices will be announced. A special award for Resilience will be made in memory of Stephanie Scothorn, The Source’s popular tutor, who died aged 55 in December 2022.