Apprenticeships in the Spotlight at Breakfast Event for Employers
Encouraging more employers across Wales to support Apprenticeships will be the mission of an interactive breakfast event to be held in Cardiff in March.
Themed ‘IT’S TIME to talk Apprenticeships, this free event, at Mercure Cardiff Holland House Hotel from 8am to 10.30am on March 14, is being organised by the Welsh Government’s Department for Education and Skills (DfES) in partnership with the National Training Federation Wales (NTfW) and Pearson Work Based Learning.
The event is held during National Apprenticeship Week from March 11-15, which celebrates Apprenticeships and the positive impact they have on individuals and businesses.
Speakers will include Deputy Minister for Skills, Jeff Cuthbert, NTfW chief executive Arwyn Watkins and, on behalf of main sponsor Pearson Work Based Learning, Dr Paul Thomas, star of BBC Radio Wales documentary series ‘The Business Doctor’ and Louise Terry, training manager from The Royal Mint.
As well as interactive debate and table discussions, people attending the event will hear from Mr Cuthbert why Apprenticeships are good for business while Dr Thomas will outline the importance of leadership and the need for succession planning.
Louise Terry will give an insight to the challenges successful delivery of Apprenticeships can bring and what changes The Royal Mint is making within its organisation to improve its programme.
Regional Learning Partnership South West Wales will speak about the findings of a research report on Apprenticeships and Higher Apprenticeships.
Training providers contracted by the Welsh Government to deliver Apprenticeships have been set a challenge. The Welsh Government wants them to raise the profile of Apprenticeships not only within businesses they currently work with but also with those that do not consider Apprenticeship programmes as part of their business development and succession strategy.
The Deputy Minister for Skills, Jeff Cuthbert said: “Apprenticeships are at the heart of business effectiveness. They increase the skillset of the workforce and make Wales a more attractive place with which to do business. This is why we strongly believe in apprentices and have a number of programmes in place to support them.
“I would love to see more businesses taking on apprentices and informative events such as this are vital in raising the profile and esteem of Apprenticeship programmes.”
Mr Watkins said: “The aim of this event is to bring together all the key stakeholders involved in the delivery of Apprenticeships in Wales, with a view to raising awareness of their value to business and the wider economy. We hope that it will motivate more employers to become fully engaged in the Apprenticeship programme.”
The event will also launch this year’s Apprenticeship Awards in Wales showcase and provide practical advice on how to enter. The awards are designed to recognise and reward best practice in the use of Apprenticeships for learners, employers and providers.
Employers and training providers wishing to attend the event should contact NTfW general manager Karen Smith at karen.smith@ntfw.org or Tel: 029 2061 8228.
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