As we mark National Apprenticeship Week, an event that is now nationally recognised, it is fantastic the apprenticeship brand seems to be on a more level playing field with traditional academic routes.
We are still some way behind countries such as Germany, Australia and Switzerland in how they utilise their programmes and how they are viewed by employers and individuals but we are definitely moving in the right direction.
The Ladder for Greater Birmingham, an initiative to highlight the value and opportunities available through apprenticeships, will be using this week to showcase the work it has done since 2018.
It’s hard to believe we launched the Ladder nearly four years ago.
Despite the considerable challenges over the past two years, to have supported the creation of more than 2,000 new apprenticeship starts with our delivery partners, engaging with numerous key skills and education stakeholders and instigating a much-needed apprenticeship awards for the second city makes us all very proud.
