Ahead of this year’s National Apprenticeship Week, Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and Worcestershire County Council are calling on local employers, apprentices, schools and colleges, and training providers to show their virtual support for Apprenticeships.
From 8 to 14 February, National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) 2021 will be underway with the national aim to #BuildtheFuture with emphasis this year on how apprenticeships can help build successful and rewarding careers.
To support this message locally, the Worcestershire LEP and Worcestershire County Council are working with the Worcestershire Apprenticeships programme to highlight the variety of work going on locally to promote and support apprenticeships.
The week will feature virtual presentations and videos for schools and colleges to use within their timetables to highlight to young people the benefits of apprenticeships. There will also be a series of case studies shared of local employers and former apprentices, each showcasing how an apprenticeship helped shape their organisation or future.
Across social media, the week will also see the return of the popular selfie campaign. Employers, current and former apprentices and those who work with apprentices are encouraged to take a selfie and share it across social media using the hashtags #NAW2021 and #WorcsApprentice.
The activity from the community on social media in National Apprenticeship Week 2020 alone generated over 300,000 impressions.
The Worcestershire Apprenticeships team will also be sharing information on current vacancies to help highlight the availability of apprenticeships even in lockdown conditions.
Gary Woodman, Chief Executive of Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “The effects of COVID-19 in the last 12 months has meant that the delivery of training and workplace learning as part of an apprenticeship has been challenging. However, I am pleased that here in Worcestershire we are continuing to show our support as a community for Apprenticeships and the opportunities they provide, with many of last year’s cohort able to complete their qualifications and training.
“I would encourage any employers or young people to visit Worcestershire Apprenticeships to find out more about hiring or becoming an apprentice.”
Cllr Marcus Hart, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Education and Skills at Worcestershire County Council, added: “Over the past few years I have been able to enjoy the fantastic celebration of Apprenticeships in Worcestershire during National Apprenticeship Week, this year will be no different.
“It is vital we continue to showcase how apprenticeships can benefit the county as whole and I look forward to seeing the plethora of virtual activity taking place here in the county.”
For more information on how to apply or hire an Apprentice and the local Apprenticeship Week activity, visit the dedicated webpage here. – https://worcsapprenticeships.org.uk/national-apprenticeship-week-2021/