Higher-level apprentices Richard Cumberlidge and Naomi Yates are just two of over 150 apprentices who took to the stage at this year’s apprenticeship graduation ceremony.
The apprentices, from across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, representing over 15 sectors from Accounting to Mechanical Engineering were joined by their families and employers.
Now in their fifth year, the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Apprenticeship Graduation Awards help highlight the quality and range of Advanced and Higher apprentices and their contribution to the local economy.
Richard Cumberlidge from Stone has been doing a Mechanical Engineering apprenticeship with JCB. Richard said:
“Engineering is something I’ve always been interested in from an early age. An apprenticeship with JCB was such a massive privilege in itself, but to finish four years of hard work with a degree in Mechanical Engineering was the icing on the cake.
“The fact that I obtained a university degree, without any debt, earning a decent wage, and most importantly, acquiring four years of invaluable industry work experience, are the reasons I fully recommend an apprenticeship to all young people.”
Naomi Yates from Newcastle-under-Lyme has been doing a Business Admin (HR) apprenticeship with Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group (NSCG). Naomi said:
“I enjoy working in Human Resources and completing my apprenticeship has helped me to not only learn the HR way of working but also to help myself grow as a person. Completing my Level 2 & 3 apprenticeship is a great way of learning within the professional industry, whilst earning a wage.
“I am now on a Level 5 CIPD University course thanks to the help and confidence from the apprenticeship department and the department I work in now.”
Philip White, Cabinet Member for Learning and Employability at Staffordshire County Council presented awards to the apprentices. Philip said:
“It’s great to be hosting our apprenticeship graduation ceremony again to recognise the achievements of all the hard-working, aspirational individuals who have completed Higher and Advanced apprenticeships this year.
“It really is vital we have a good supply of talented workers with the skills that our employers need to grow our economy. Apprenticeships are key to this and why we want to see even more employers take on an apprentice and realising the many benefits. I would like to congratulate everyone who graduated, well done.”
Alun Rogers, deputy chairman of the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Local Enterprise Partnership added: “In Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire we have made great progress in recent years by increasing the number of apprentices but we want to see further growth and ensure businesses are aware of the value of apprenticeship programmes.
“Developing a skilled workforce will be an integral part of our Local Industrial Strategy and will include apprenticeship support.
“Our business support apprenticeship helpline also continues to provide employers across the county with the advice they need to realise the benefits of taking on an apprentice.”
Apprentices continue to play a key role in strengthening the Staffordshire economy with around 7,000 completing an apprenticeship over the past 18 months.
Higher Apprenticeships are available at a range of levels, from the equivalent of a foundation degree to a bachelor’s degree and even master’s degree level in some sectors. More of these specialised and highly-skilled Apprenticeships are being offered each year, giving individuals the chance to continue their professional development and fully realise their potential.
Related Posts:
