The Solent Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) is marking National Apprenticeship Week 2021 by sharing its own apprentices' experiences to make others aware of the fantastic opportunities available.
Now entering its seventh year of employing apprentices in Business Administration, this year the LEP made the decision to broaden its apprentice offering. It now employs two Level 4 Marketing Executive Apprentices, a Level 4 Apprentice in Regulatory Compliance, and a Business Support Officer, who recently completed her Level 4 Business Administration Apprenticeship at the LEP.
The Solent LEP works closely with Portsmouth City Council and HTP Apprenticeship College to deliver its apprenticeships and to ensure that the apprentices have all the support and training they need to succeed. As well as its own apprentices, the Solent LEP also supports the regional goals and partners with Solent Apprenticeship Hub, a unique and essential resource for any business wanting a trusted, independent service to support them with apprenticeships.
Jodi Fair, Solent Apprenticeship Hub Manager said: “Whether you are a young person starting your career or you are further into working life and looking to reskill, there are plenty of employers in the Solent region offering apprenticeships. An apprenticeship is very much like a normal job and many businesses like the Solent LEP rely on apprentices to support the important work they do. It’s great to hear how the LEP’s apprentices are getting on and achieving their goals.”
Josie Worsfold recently completed her Level 3 Business Administration Apprenticeship at the Solent LEP and is about to begin a Level 4 Apprenticeship in Regulatory Compliance.
Josie said: “I am really looking forward to getting stuck into my new apprenticeship at the Solent LEP, as it will be a more specific subject to focus on and completely new to me. Every day is different and I love getting involved in different aspects of the work we do here and learning whilst also helping the team. It has been a tough year for many and adjusting to home working has had its challenges, however I am pleased to say, as a team, the LEP has overcome these by improving processes and moving over to virtual working swiftly, as we continue to help businesses affected by COVID-19 through business support and Government funding.”
Developing and transforming the way students think about apprenticeships is important to the LEP and it works together with The Apprenticeship Support and Knowledge for Schools and Colleges programme (ASK), to ensure schools, colleges and other educational establishments have the support and knowledge they need to encourage and inspire students to follow the apprenticeship route.
Will Dentten is a Programme Development Project Officer Apprentice at the Solent LEP and Maritime UK Solent, and, once he completes his current apprenticeship, he has aspirations to keep progressing and complete further qualifications in Marketing.
Will said: “Being an apprentice at the Solent LEP and Maritime UK Solent is great. It has given me the opportunity to learn new skills, test myself in challenging situations, get involved in big projects and learn about a sector I had very little knowledge in. Being an apprentice has helped me become a more rounded person and given me a great foundation for my career. I am able to balance the educational side with the working side, being able to use those skills in a professional environment, with an amazing group of colleagues alongside me.”
Storm Wilson, who recently completed her Level 4 Business Administration qualification at the LEP is now a Business Support Officer, said: “I have really enjoyed working at the Solent LEP for over a year now, I completed my Business Administration Level 4 within 11 months and I am very proud of myself for achieving this, as I put a lot of hard work and time into it. I am grateful to my colleagues for being so supportive since working from home and adapting to the changes this past year has brought.”
To find out more about National Apprenticeship Week please visit https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/.
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