“Being an apprentice at NCFE has given me an amazing opportunity to learn new skills, not only with my course but in the working world. I’m made to feel like a valued member of my team and not ‘just an apprentice’, under excellent management and mentorship I feel I am able to develop my abilities and take on new challenges.”
Nicola Burlison, NCFE apprentice.
We’re passionate about apprenticeships and are really getting behind National Apprenticeship Week. This year's theme looks at what apprenticeships mean to individuals, employers, communities and the wider economy, and we'll be sharing our stories and experiences all week!
What is National Apprenticeship week?
National Apprenticeship Week is co-ordinated by the National Apprenticeship Service and promotes apprenticeships and the positive impact they have on individuals, businesses and the wider economy.
It’s hugely important as apprenticeships give people the chance to learn on the job and gain skills that employers desperately need. There were nearly 500,000 apprenticeship starts last year and with a challenging job market apprenticeships can boost people’s employability chances.
Not only will they be earning a salary and getting paid annual leave, apprentices have excellent progression opportunities and also benefit from increased earning opportunities. They can also go on to study further - those completing a Higher Apprenticeship could see an estimated £150,000 over their lifetime – or climb the ranks in the workplace.
Why is it important for NCFE?
As a levy payer we help to fund apprenticeships, but for us it reinforces our Core Purpose and supports learners.
“Our Core Purpose is to ‘Create opportunities for success to enrich society’, which helps people inside and outside the organisation have choices in their lives. What better way to do this than by developing people through apprenticeships. Learners are the main driver for what we do every day and being able to nurture young talent in the business and support their work place learning is immensely satisfying. We’ve already seen previous apprentices grow into strong and credible team members and watching their careers take off is a credit to them, their mentors and their line managers.
National Apprenticeship Week allows us to pause and remind ourselves how important education is in all its forms and how vital the opportunities we create are, to people and industry. As a levy payer we are doing what is expected of us, but as an education organisation we’re fulfilling our ambition to provide people with better lives.”
David Grailey, CEO
