Kemi Badenoch, Member of Parliament for the Saffron Walden constituency is calling on local businesses to nominate exceptional apprentices to be named the constituency's 'Apprentice of the Year’ in celebration of the 16th annual National Apprenticeship Week 2023.
NAW promotes the benefits of apprenticeships and encouraging more people to consider them as a viable career option. During the week, apprentices, employers, and training providers will participate in a series of events and activities designed to raise awareness and showcase the diversity of apprenticeships available.
The theme for National Apprenticeship Week 2023 is ‘Skills for Life’ and will reflect on how apprenticeships can help individuals to develop the skills and knowledge required for a rewarding career and help businesses to develop a talented workforce that is equipped with skills for the future.
The Government is continuing to encourage work-based training through apprenticeships in England, increasing funding to £2.7 billion by 2024-25. It is also delivering several skills offers, such as Skills Bootcamps; free, flexible courses of up to 16 weeks, available to adults in England, including employed learners aged 60 and over, giving people the opportunity to build up sector-specific skills, with an offer of a job interview on completion.
Mrs Badenoch’s competition winner will receive a certificate and an invitation to meet Mrs Badenoch in Parliament, to share with her their experience being an apprentice in their sector.
For details on applying, employers should visit: www.kemibadenoch.org.uk/kemi-badenoch-mps-apprentice-year-2023
Commenting, Mrs Badenoch said:
“National Apprenticeship Week is a great opportunity to showcase how apprenticeships are developing employees for the future and how they transform lives and careers, proving to be a crucial part of the country’s workforce and helping to boost our local economy.
“I was pleased to see over 8,500 apprenticeships started in Essex in 2021/22, up by over 8 per cent from the previous academic year. A significant proportion of these are based in Chelmsford and Uttlesford and I have launched this award to shine a light on some of the exciting opportunities available.
“I am calling on local employers to nominate apprentices who have gone above and beyond as part of their role, and I look forward to hearing from those passionate about pursuing professional qualifications while gaining invaluable hands-on work experience.”
