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Pushing National Apprenticeships

Engineering student in workshop, Central Bedfordshire College (CBC).

The Bedford College Group recently participated in the National Apprenticeship Week.

The theme for this year’s event was “Skills for Life”. The college representatives attended and hosted several events in Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire from February 5 to 11, aiming to encourage young people and their parents to acknowledge the value of apprenticeships as a pathway to the best careers.

These events were in line with national campaigns throughout the week, such as Employer Tuesday, Apprentice Wednesday, T Level Thursday, Celebration Friday and NAW Weekender.

Yiannis Koursis and Debbie Houghton outside No 10 Downing Street.

Meeting current and future needs

New CE of The Bedford College Group, Yiannis Koursis OBE said:

“Our college is one of the leading providers of apprenticeships in the UK and the Southeast Region. Our programs are designed based on the latest Labour Market Intelligence and we work with almost 1,000 businesses to ensure that our courses meet current and future needs. We work in close partnership with businesses and provide essential elements of our curricula in consultation with them. We take pride in being a provider of workforce development programs and apprenticeships and involve ourselves in the business world.”

“Our Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance is robust and helps all young people and adults to understand the huge career potential and future life opportunities available through studying technical qualifications, particularly the value of T Levels and Apprenticeships. At a national level, our Executive Director of Apprenticeships, Debbie Houghton, and I were invited to a meeting at No. 10 to discuss how FE Colleges promote the value of apprenticeships and technical education. We explored what more we could do to ensure the UK achieves its vision.”

Highlighting activities

Tanya Baney, The Bedford College Group Head of Apprenticeships, highlighted various activities linked to apprenticeships that were promoted across multiple social media channels. On February 5, the Group joined a celebration at the Houses of Parliament hosted by Robert Halfon MP as part of the awards on February 27. Later in the month, the Group made it to the in the national finals for the Apprenticeships, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Provider Recognition Award, which was organised by FE Week & AELP AAC Apprenticeship Awards 2024, in association with City & Guilds.

For more information about apprenticeships, visit: https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/influencers/national-apprenticeship-week#