National Apprenticeship Week (10-16 February): Investing in Growth and Development at The Forward Trust
This annual event is a fantastic opportunity to highlight the value of apprenticeships in developing skills, boosting career progression, and empowering individuals to reach their full potential.
Over the past year, I have had the privilege of working closely with colleagues across Forward to promote and support apprenticeships within our organisation. As the HR Learning and Development Lead, I am passionate about helping our people grow, develop, and achieve their full potential. Apprenticeships are a fantastic way to upskill our workforce, enabling staff to gain accredited qualifications while continuing to make a real impact in their roles.
Alongside Abigail Gray, HR Business Partner, and with the full support of our Executive Director for Employment Services, Asi Panditharatna, we have made apprenticeships a key focus of our learning and development strategy. Apprenticeships are a fantastic way to upskill our workforce and enable our staff to gain accredited qualifications to progress in their roles.
One of the most rewarding aspects of my role has been holding insight sessions for staff, where Abbie and I have been able to talk through the different apprenticeship options available. These sessions have helped employees understand the commitment involved while also showcasing the incredible value of gaining a recognised qualification.
Through these conversations, we have supported many staff members in identifying the best path for their personal and professional development. It has been inspiring to see so many individuals take the leap and start their apprenticeship journeys, knowing they have the full backing of The Forward Trust.
Our belief in apprenticeships isn’t just something we encourage for others – it’s something we practice ourselves. Within our own HR team, five of us have either completed or are currently working towards our Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) accreditation. This has helped us grow as professionals while strengthening our ability to support the wider organisation effectively.
Victoria Billham, a HR Advisor at Forward, is a perfect example of how an apprenticeship can truly shape a career:
“The CIPD HR Apprenticeship has allowed me to put my skills into practice by backing this up with theory and has enabled me to progress in my role from HR Administrator to HR Advisor. I’m extremely proud of my development, and I thank The Forward Trust for supporting me through my apprenticeship.”
Beyond HR, we have also focused on developing leaders across The Forward Trust. In the past year, we have enrolled 10 additional staff members in either their Level 3 or Level 5 Leadership apprenticeship, equipping them with essential management and leadership skills to drive positive change within the organisation.
National Apprenticeship Week is all about celebrating apprenticeships, and at Forward, we are proud to be part of this movement. Investing in our workforce is a key priority, and we will continue to champion apprenticeships as a vital tool for career development.
I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved so far, and I’m excited to see even more of our colleagues benefit from apprenticeships in the future.