Join us for National Apprenticeship Week 2021 and help build the future
Welcome to NAW 2021. This week, we are celebrating the great work of apprentices, their employers and the families who support them.
At a time of economic uncertainty, growing levels of automation and more jobs that require higher levels of education, apprenticeships help people to build the skills and knowledge required for a rewarding career. In our experience as a leading information, advice and guidance (IAG), employability and skills provider, those we have supported into apprenticeships are accessing better paid, more stable and exciting employment opportunities.
At Forward, we’re committed to improving social mobility and the life chances of the most disadvantaged people in society. Many of those we work with have limited networks (social capital); lack knowledge of the norms of behaviour that aid social mobility (cultural capital); and low confidence, often unable to imagine an exciting future for themselves. However, we know they often possess the innate talent and the qualities to become great apprentices and employees.
During NAW 2021, we urge employers and providers to consider giving these amazing people a chance as an apprentice. We’re already working with some great providers and employers, and we want to work with more. And as a Real Living Wage accredited employer, we also employ and train apprentices ourselves.
To celebrate National Apprenticeship Week 2021, The Forward Trust and The Institute of Employability Professionals (IEP) are delighted to announce the new Employability Practitioner Standard (Level 4), a programme of learning that will help upskill professionals working in the employability sector. The standard, which Forward will start to deliver in March 2021, was developed with support of the IEP and over 50 sector employers. It is a high quality, cost-effective way for organisations delivering employability services to ensure their staff get the best and most up-to-date training in the sector.
To find out more about this exciting programme, join Forward and the IEP, in partnership with the London Progression Collaboration, for a free webinar at 2pm on Wednesday 10 February 2021.
Asi Panditharatna is the Divisional Director of Employment Services
The Forward Trust is a leading Matrix Standard accredited IAG, employability, skills and apprenticeships training provider.