Plans for first national Skills Show announced

The National Apprenticeship Service yesterday launched a new marketing campaign to promote Apprenticeships to employers, young people and parents.

The campaign stars current and former apprentices from Bentley, insurance brokers Blue Fin, BT, builders Jelson Homes, housing association Incommunities and SEC Recruitment.

It aims to showcase the talents, skills and commitment of real apprentices in everyday workplaces. The campaign will also inform and persuade more companies and individuals to reap the benefits of Apprenticeships for themselves.

The creatives lead with the strapline ‘Apprenticeships deliver’ and direct mail, public relations and advertising will focus on themes that define what organisers have termed ‘a new era for Apprenticeships’ – quality, growth, pride and value.

Ministers have also announced that activity to boost skills in 2012 will include the first national Skills Show – a UK-only version of WorldSkills London, which saw 200,000 young people visit the biggest skills competition, careers and jobs event ever staged in the country last October. Further details of the Skills Show 2012 are due to be announced later in the month.

Speaking at the launch event in Parliament, Minister for Skills, John Hayes MP, said:

"These young people are an inspiration to anyone looking to break in to their chosen industry. They show how the gold standard training in the apprenticeship programme can be a launch pad for careers across all sectors.

“Thanks to the changes we are introducing, employers can be assured that Apprenticeships are of a high standard – and quality assured. Young people and parents can be confident that Apprenticeships lead to good careers with real progression.”

Jaine Bolton, Director of the National Apprenticeship Service, said:

“Encouraging more people to take up quality Apprenticeships is absolutely vital in equipping young people with the skills they need for the future – and the skills that Britain needs to grow.

“Quite simply, there has never been a better time to offer or take an Apprenticeship and our campaign will help ensure this is known across the country.”

The stars of the campaign are:

• Nisar Ahmed from Bradford, who works for local housing association Incommunities
• Shane Allum, from BT Operate, based in Farringdon, Oxfordshire
• Former building apprentice, Sam Fairgrieve, from Leicester who works for builders Jelson Homes  
• Robyn Keating, who works for insurance brokers Bluefin, from Hornchurch, Essex
• Tolu Shobande from London who works for SEC Recruitment
• Miles Taitt, an apprentice from Bentley Motors in Crewe

To find out about Apprenticeships visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk or call 08000 150 600.

 

Further details of the Skills Show 2012 are due to be announced later in the month.