National Apprenticeship Week 2022
What is National Apprenticeship Week 2022?
The 15th annual National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) 2022 kicks off from 7-13 February, with the aim to celebrate the outstanding work of apprentices across the country as well as recognise the value and opportunity that apprenticeships bring.
This year’s #NAW2022 theme ‘Build the Future’ encourages everyone to consider how apprenticeships can help to develop the skills and knowledge required for a rewarding career, and employers to develop a workforce with future ready skills.
Local apprenticeship opportunities
Kensington and Chelsea Council is marking the week with a packed timetable of virtual talks and Q&As, in collaboration with local employers, to celebrate all that the borough has to offer, celebrate local apprentices, as well as showcase apprenticeship opportunities.
During the events, attendees will have the opportunity to hear from employers across a wide range of sectors including, hospitality, construction, healthcare, retail, security and leisure.
Who is taking part?
Those taking part include Harrods, GLL, TFL, MET Police, Multiverse and more. They will share information on current and future apprenticeship opportunities, how to apply for vacancies and career progression after completing the apprenticeship.
Last year there were more than 325 apprenticeship starts in the borough with around 260 residents taking up an apprenticeship either locally or in surrounding boroughs. There are currently 1000 local apprenticeships available, ranging from level 2 to 6.
The Council currently has a 106 people apprentices, a third of whom are new recruits. The Council retains an average of 50 per cent of new recruit apprentices, half of new recruits are either residents, care leavers, or those with disabilities.
What events are taking place?
See more information on virtual events planned by the Council’s for #NAW2022 via the timetable below and book your place via Eventbrite.
- Virtual events timetable
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Monday - Loveday
- Care
- 2pm - 3pm
- GLL
- Leisure
- 3pm - 3.40pm
Tuesday - TFL
- Construction
- 10am - 11am
- Barfection
- Hospitality
- 11am - 12pm
- MET
- Police
- 1pm - 2pm
- Multiverse
- Degree apprenticeships
- 2pm - 2pm
Wednesday - The Harrow Club
- IT and digital
- 11am - 12pm
- HS2
- Construction
- 2pm - 3pm
Thursday - Morley College
- Training
- 10am - 11am
- Harrods
- Retail
- 11am - 12pm
Friday - Banham Security
- Security
- 2pm - 3pm
If you missed an event, you can also watch recordings of the talks using our youtube playlist.
Case studies
- Banham Security
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Martin Herbert, Managing Director for local business, Banham Security
"Banham have always valued the importance of training the next generation and nurturing talent. We proudly have two Directors at Banham today, who both started out as apprentices at the age of 16, so we know first-hand just how incredibly valuable apprentices are to your workforce.
“We launched the Banham Academy in order to give young people the opportunity to learn skills and training to embark on careers within our industry. The UK has seen a significant decline in the uptake of engineers in our industry over the past decade and we have been committed to bridge that gap through the Academy.
“We continue to provide opportunities to today's youth, particularly to those from less advantaged backgrounds, and give them invaluable training to create fruitful careers and better their futures. To date, Banham have proudly taken on 35 apprentices through the Academy and trained close to 200 apprentices in total, and we look forward to welcoming more to our growing workforce."
Gianluca Mori, Apprentice at Banham Security
“I joined Banham Security’s Fire, Emergency and Security Systems Apprentice Programme to become a fully qualified technician. I decided to enrol as an apprentice because I love the idea of being paid whilst training to do something I really enjoy.
“Technology and electronics are my passions, I’m also a very handy and practical person. The training provided at Banham Security and Academy is a combination of theory and practice in the field, supervised by a tutor and a mentor. I have now been in my apprenticeship for a year and a half, and I have learnt how to maintain a variety of fire and security systems, including intruder alarm, CCTV and Access Control systems.
“I would definitely recommend an apprenticeship to anyone who is looking to set a strong career path and professionally progress within their chosen industry.”
Kevin Faulkner, Operations Director at Banham Security
‘All of the team at Banham Academy are proud to be delivering accredited training to a wide range of talented young people throughout the UK. Our aim is to help today's youth fulfil their potential in order to embark on rewarding careers within the fire and security sectors. Not only do we provide vital sector-focused skills and training, but we also pride ourselves in helping to improve each student's professionalism and confidence which will serve them throughout their lives after leaving the Academy.'
- Michael Adeniran, Construction and Partnership Advisor, Kensington and Chelsea Council
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Supporting construction apprenticeships through Section 106 agreements
As part of my role at Kensington and Chelsea Council, I work with construction contractors undertaking construction projects within the borough, to help them fulfil the Section 106 agreements they hold with the Council.
Some of these agreements include, helping residents to access training and employment opportunities, and engaging with local amenities like schools and colleges. This helps the contractor to work with the local community to ensure they benefit from the construction project for the duration of the build.
Through these agreements, the aim is to maximise employment opportunities for those residents who are looking to enter into the construction industry and built environment. We provide a tailored and holistic approach through the whole process, from application to training and eventually - employment.
In the 1.5 years I have been working at the Council, I have helped over 30 residents to gain employment and apprentice roles within the construction industry – a third of these being apprenticeship opportunities.
To achieve this, I start by ensuring each resident that comes forward receives the required training for the pipeline of construction opportunities I receive, with the help of partners such as training providers and the DWP.
When they are ready for employment, I communicate directly with the construction employers I am in contact with to help them secure an apprentice role.
One successful candidate that we have helped on their construction journey is Liniker, who took up an apprenticeship as a Dry Liner.
On his experience taking up the role and interacting with the Council, he said:
“I was given the opportunity to interview for the apprenticeship role via the Council’s construction service and I managed to get the job!
The challenge I faced was not having previous experience as a fixer or a dry liner, but my colleagues were extremely helpful in training and supporting me to build my skills and confidence to carry out the work. After a few weeks of training, I was confident to carry out the works by myself.
“Throughout the apprenticeship, I was happy with the support from both my work coach, the Council, and the construction company I worked with, and the communication was really good from all sides.
“The apprenticeship has benefitted my career as I have learnt so many new skills and built my confidence, which has enabled me to take more work at other sites with the contractor I initially started working with, and also opens up many more opportunities in the future.”
The construction program continues to help residents gain access to construction employment and training opportunities and educates organisations on the accessibility of construction as a career.
To find out more about apprenticeship opportunities in construction, please get in touch, drop me an email at: [email protected].
- Keira Sesay – Junior Journalist Apprentice at Kensington and Chelsea Council.
