Royal Greenwich holds its second Apprenticeship Summit

To mark National Apprenticeship Week (10 – 16 February) the Royal Borough of Greenwich held its second Greenwich Apprenticeship Summit at Woolwich Works on 11 February.     

Following the success of the inaugural event last year, the Apprenticeship Summit promoted the huge array of benefits apprenticeships can offer individuals and employers. Organised in partnership with London South East Colleges, University of Greenwich and Visit Greenwich, the event showcased the apprenticeship opportunities available in the borough and beyond.   

The event was attended by 350 Year 12 and 13 students from nine Greenwich schools, and over 400 aspiring apprentices attended the public session to connect with a variety of training providers and employers such as Peabody, Department of Work and Pensions, The Army and Oxleas NHS Trust.  

For the second year running, a roundtable discussion was held as part of the event and was chaired once again by Dr Sam Parrett CBE, Group CEO of London South East Colleges. Attendees included representatives from industry, public services, education, and local government. Discussion centred around policy and funding, youth employment and skills gaps, collaboration and workforce development, and increasing apprenticeship take up.

Several priorities came out of this, including:

• An increase in the number of young people in apprenticeships and support for the government's Youth Guarantee, which ensures that every 18 to 21-year-old in England gets access to education, training or help to find an apprenticeship or job.
• Workshop ideas for the government-funded Local London Youth Trailblazer pilot.
• The launch of a local campaign aimed at recruiting young apprentices.
• Outline progression pathways from T levels – including work experience offer – to foundation apprenticeships and Level 2.
• Strengthened links with Voluntary and Community Sector to reach vulnerable young people.
• Clear guidance on how refugees and asylum seekers can access pre-apprenticeship training and apprenticeship jobs.
• Support for the transition to the new Growth and Skills Levy and development of a local post-16 skills plan for the borough.

Cllr Jackie Smith, Cabinet Member Inclusive Economy, Business, Skills and Greenwich Supports said: “Once again, we had a terrific turnout for our Apprenticeship Summit at the wonderful Woolwich Works. We heard inspiring stories from former apprentices about how undertaking an apprenticeship advanced their careers and it was a fantastic opportunity for would-be apprentices to connect with potential employers and skills providers.

“We fully support changes the government is making to expand employment opportunities for everyone, especially 18- to 21-year-olds. It was great to speak personally with so many young people ready to embark on their next step and I will be taking forward the priorities from our roundtable discussion to increase the number of young people in apprenticeships and develop a post-16 skill plan, strengthen links with the voluntary and commit sector, and provide clear guidance on how those seeking asylum can access training opportunities.”

For more information about apprenticeships, please visit: gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship