Heartbeat: Award win for supporting young people into work
July 29, 2019
It’s the annual awards ceremony that celebrates the best apprentices and their employers working across the Greater Birmingham area, acknowledging those up-and-coming talents working in fields as diverse as manufacturing, creative industries, finance, digital industries and the public sector.
At this year’s Ladder for Birmingham Apprenticeship Awards, we scooped one of the main prizes – Birmingham Apprenticeship Training Provider of the Year.
“It was a fantastic honour to hear our organisation announced as the winner of such a prestigious award,” said Libby Marshall, Apprenticeship Co-ordinator.
“Feedback from the judges was that the award was in recognition of our distance travelled since setting up as a provider in 2017. It was absolutely great news especially after receiving a positive report following an OSFTED inspection in December last year.”
We currently have 140 apprentices working across a range of departments. Our Live and Work’ project, in partnership with St Basil’s homeless charity, provides accommodation and jobs through the apprenticeship route and has so far supported around 25 homeless young adults to change their lives through increased confidence, skills and employment with the trust.
Libby added: “We have been able to support the Level 4 teaching award for our team which has enabled us to ensure improved practice and a better apprentice experience. Our aim is to have a culture of inclusivity and we are pleased to have been asked to participate in the ‘Five Cities Diversity Programme’ – a new government project aimed at increasing apprenticeships within underrepresented groups.”
The awards night saw us as runner up in two other categories Large Employer of the Year and Outstanding Apprentice of The Year – Public & Charitable Sector for Amanda Healy.
“We were delighted for Amanda to be recognised in this way,” said Libby. “In 2016, Amanda was a domestic assistant with a dream of becoming a midwife. Her personal determination saw her overcome a number of organisational barriers and gain support to work additional hours as a health care assistant apprentice.
“She did this while still doing her ward services role and it was the first time a domestic had done this. As a result of Amanda scoring the highest grade available in her 2018 PDR, she has been selected to join a nursing career escalator programme to look at future training and development opportunities and plans to study for a midwifery degree apprenticeship at university.
“Amanda’s story shows that apprenticeships are for everyone. I would encourage colleagues to get in touch to discuss the options available.”
To find out more contact Libby Marshall on ext 3196.