Outer Circle

🌟 We’re Back! The OuterCircle End-of-Year Black Tie Gala Returns! 🌟 After last year's great success, we’re thrilled to announce that our much-anticipated Black Tie Gala is returning—bigger, better, and more inspiring than ever! 🎉 This year, we're opening the doors even wider, inviting not just current apprentices but also industry leaders looking to kickstart their journey. Why attend? ✨ Celebrate: Reflect on the amazing achievements of 2024. ✨ Network: Connect with apprentices, aspiring talent, industry leaders, and potential mentors. ✨ Be Inspired: Hear stories of growth, resilience, and success that will fuel your ambitions for 2025! ✨ Have Fun: Enjoy a night filled with Music & Dancing- get ready to Party! Don’t miss your chance to be part of this unforgettable night as we toast to the future of apprenticeships and the limitless potential of tomorrow's talent. More details and RSVP info coming soon—stay tuned! 🥂 #OuterCircleGala #Apprenticeships #AspiringTalent #CelebrateConnectInspire

🚀 Exciting Opportunity: OuterCircle Mock-Assessment Centre (Manchester) – 31st March! 💼 Applying for an apprenticeship? Want to gain hands-on experience with real assessment centre tasks? This is your chance! 📅 Date: Monday, 31st March 2025 📍 Location: Barclays Manchester DiSH, Manchester (Heron House, 1 Lincoln Square, M2 5LN) ⏰ Time: 6:00 PM – 7:45 PM ⏳ VERY Limited Spaces Available – Register Now! 🔹 Why Attend? ✅ Real-Life Practice – Get familiar with assessment centre tasks used by top employers. ✅ Expert Feedback – Receive personalised guidance to refine your performance. ✅ Confidence Boost – Practice in a supportive, low-pressure environment before the real thing! ✅ Network with Other Apprenticeship Candidates – Meet like-minded individuals on the same journey. 🎯 Whether you’re applying for your first apprenticeship or just want to sharpen your skills, this session will set you up for success. 📢 Spots are filling up fast – Secure your place today! 🔗 https://lnkd.in/e3YRspGZ Know someone applying for an apprenticeship? Tag them below and help them get a step ahead in the process! 👇 #OuterCircle #Apprenticeships #MockAssessmentCentre #EarlyCareers #ManchesterEvents #ApprenticeshipReady #FutureTalent

🚀 OuterCircle’s First Bristol Current Apprentice Event – Games Night! 🎲 Bristol apprentices, we’ve got something exciting for you! 🎉 Join us for OuterCircle’s first-ever Current Apprentice Games Night in Bristol – a chance to connect, unwind, and have some fun with fellow apprentices from across the region! 🗓 When? Thursday, 27th March 📍 Where? Chance & Counters, Bishopston, Bristol ⏰ Time? 6:00 - 8:00 PM 💰 Cost? Just £7.50 per person Whether you’re looking to meet other apprentices, share experiences, or just enjoy a great evening of games, this is the perfect chance to get involved. 🔗 Sign up now and secure your spot! https://lnkd.in/eizbsmYm Tag a fellow apprentice who should be there! Let’s build the Bristol apprentice network together. 💡 #ApprenticeLife #BristolApprentices #OuterCircleEvents

DEI is a Fad. There, I said it. Not because diversity, equity, and inclusion don’t matter- they do. But because, for many companies, it’s just been a trend. I had a conversation recently with someone who spent years working in-house on DEI initiatives. Their company won awards for diversity. Ticked all the boxes. Looked great on paper. But behind the scenes? ❌ Diverse apprentices dropped out within a year. ❌ Women faced workplace discrimination. ❌ The culture never actually changed. This is what happens when DEI is about optics, not action. The uncomfortable truth? As the hype dies down, many companies will quietly pull back their efforts. They’ll say, “We tried that before, and it didn’t work.” The real challenge isn’t recruitment: It’s retention. It’s support. It’s building real infrastructure that ensures people don’t just get in- but stay, grow, and succeed. If companies don’t start treating DEI as a business necessity instead of a marketing tool, we’ll see a return to the old ways. And when that happens, the excuse will be ready: "We gave it a shot. It just wasn’t worth it." 🚨 But let’s be clear: the problem isn’t DEI. The problem is how companies have been doing it. If you’re an employer: Stop hiring for diversity & failing them with no support. Stop winning DEI awards & ignoring toxic workplace culture. Stop making it a “trend” & start making it a priority. Otherwise, you’re proving my point: DEI isn’t dead. But the way you’re doing it is. 💬 What do you think? Have you seen companies that actually get DEI right? Or is it all just for show? Drop your thoughts in the comments. 👀 If you’re interested in more takes on apprenticeships, early careers, and the future of work—give me a follow. More to come! #DEI #WorkplaceCulture #Apprenticeships #DiversityMatters #Equity #Inclusion #Retention #FutureOfWork

We hosted TWO events in ONE evening! 🚀🎤 Last Thursday, We brought together Aspiring apprentices, Current apprentices, and Industry Professionals for two impactful events A Mock Assessment Centre in London and a STEM Apprenticeship Awareness Session in collaboration with In2scienceUK. 💼 Mock Assessment Centre – Hammersmith, London In-person, we ran a high-energy, real-world assessment centre simulation for over 30 aspiring apprentices—many of whom had never experienced one before. ✅ Team-based exercises ✅ Live presentations in front of assessors ✅ Feedback from recruiters & apprentices ✅ Networking with professionals from Accenture, Unilever, KPMG & more A huge shoutout to Martin Lin for leading the session, and to Hamdi Mousa (HR Advisor) for sharing invaluable recruiter insights on applications, assessment centres, and final-stage interviews. 🎙️ STEM Apprenticeship Awareness Session – Virtual At the same time, we teamed up with In2scienceUK to host an insight-packed STEM apprenticeship session for young people exploring alternative career routes. We covered: 🔬 What STEM apprenticeships actually involve 🎤 Live Q&A with current STEM apprentices 💡 Employer insights on standing out in applications 🌍 The growing opportunities in science, engineering & tech The feedback from both events has been incredible! Seeing apprenticeship awareness grow and candidates gain confidence in real-time is exactly why we do this. 👥 A huge thank you to everyone who attended, spoke, supported, and shared their insights—including: Kristiano Ellis, Harish Naguleswaran, Helen Brasier, Montasir Mohasin, Isabella Arenas, Thomas Packer, Yunus Riswan Marikkar & Maryam Hussain, Ciara Byrne, Danielle Knight, Sarah Hardman, Luca Peter DI GIOVANNI, Harsh S. & Thomas Harris! 📢 What’s Next? More mock assessment centres, employer-led workshops & exclusive apprenticeship insights coming soon! Stay tuned. 🌐 Join the Community! Current Apprentice Community: https://lnkd.in/dAZaRDya Aspiring Apprentice Community: https://lnkd.in/dAZaRDya #OuterCircle #Apprenticeships #EarlyCareers #STEM #FutureTalent #MockAssessment #SkillsForLife #Networking #ApprenticeshipReady 🚀

We hosted TWO events in ONE evening! 🚀🎤 Last Thursday, We brought together Aspiring apprentices, Current apprentices, and Industry Professionals for two impactful events A Mock Assessment Centre in London and a STEM Apprenticeship Awareness Session in collaboration with In2scienceUK. 💼 Mock Assessment Centre – Hammersmith, London In-person, we ran a high-energy, real-world assessment centre simulation for over 30 aspiring apprentices—many of whom had never experienced one before. ✅ Team-based exercises ✅ Live presentations in front of assessors ✅ Feedback from recruiters & apprentices ✅ Networking with professionals from Accenture, Unilever, KPMG & more A huge shoutout to Martin Lin for leading the session, and to Hamdi Mousa (HR Advisor) for sharing invaluable recruiter insights on applications, assessment centres, and final-stage interviews. 🎙️ STEM Apprenticeship Awareness Session – Virtual At the same time, we teamed up with In2scienceUK to host an insight-packed STEM apprenticeship session for young people exploring alternative career routes. We covered: 🔬 What STEM apprenticeships actually involve 🎤 Live Q&A with current STEM apprentices 💡 Employer insights on standing out in applications 🌍 The growing opportunities in science, engineering & tech The feedback from both events has been incredible! Seeing apprenticeship awareness grow and candidates gain confidence in real-time is exactly why we do this. 👥 A huge thank you to everyone who attended, spoke, supported, and shared their insights—including: Kristiano Ellis, Harish Naguleswaran, Helen Brasier, Montasir Mohasin, Isabella Arenas, Thomas Packer, Yunus Riswan Marikkar & Maryam Hussain, Ciara Byrne, Danielle Knight, Sarah Hardman, Luca Peter DI GIOVANNI, Harsh S. & Thomas Harris! 📢 What’s Next? More mock assessment centres, employer-led workshops & exclusive apprenticeship insights coming soon! Stay tuned. 🌐 Join the Community! Current Apprentice Community: https://lnkd.in/dAZaRDya Aspiring Apprentice Community: https://lnkd.in/dAZaRDya #OuterCircle #Apprenticeships #EarlyCareers #STEM #FutureTalent #MockAssessment #SkillsForLife #Networking #ApprenticeshipReady 🚀

Apprenticeships Changed My Life- Here’s Why Every Business Should Consider Them I thought success meant going to university. I thought apprenticeships were a "second choice." I thought I had to follow the traditional route. I was wrong. My apprenticeship gave me real experience, real skills, and real opportunities. It put me in the room with decision-makers, let me earn while I learned, and fast-tracked my career in a way no classroom ever could. Yet, too many businesses still overlook apprenticeships. They think: 🚫 "It’s too complicated." 🚫 "We won’t find the right talent." 🚫 "It won’t give us ROI." Here’s the truth: Apprentices bring fresh ideas, unmatched drive, and long-term value. When done right, they don’t just fill roles—they transform businesses. If you’re not hiring apprentices, you’re missing out on the next generation of top talent. Would love to hear from employers—have you seen the impact apprentices can make? Drop your thoughts below! 👇 #Apprenticeships #FutureTalent #BusinessGrowth

📢 Exciting Collaboration: OuterCircle x In2scienceUK – STEM Apprenticeship Awareness Session! 🔬🚀 We’re thrilled to be collaborating with In2scienceUK to bring you an exclusive Apprenticeship Insights & Awareness Session focused on STEM careers! If you're a student exploring your next steps, wondering if an apprenticeship is right for you, or looking to break into science, engineering, and tech—this event is for you! 📅 Date: Thursday, 20th February ⏰ Time: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM 📍 Where: Zoom Webinar What to expect: ✨ Discover what apprenticeships are, their benefits, and how they can launch your STEM career. ✨ Hear from current apprentices working in diverse STEM fields as they share their experiences & tips for success. ✨ Get employer insights on what they look for in candidates and how to stand out in applications. ✨ Engage in a live Q&A session—get your questions answered in real-time! 💡 Why attend? This is an incredible opportunity to learn from experts, connect with industry professionals, and take the next step toward securing a STEM apprenticeship. 🔗 Register now: https://lnkd.in/evpJP2CY Don’t miss out—spread the word & tag someone who should attend! 👇 #OuterCircle #In2scienceUK #STEM #Apprenticeships #Careers #Engineering #Tech #Science #Opportunities #FutureTalent 🚀

The Toughest Lesson I Learned in My First Job- And Why Every Apprentice Needs to Hear It My first Apprenticeship hit me with a reality check I never saw coming. I thought hard work alone would get me ahead. I thought showing up early and leaving late was enough. I thought my skills would speak for themselves. I was wrong. Here’s what I learned the hard way: Opportunities don’t come to those who wait. They come to those who speak up. 🚫 No one is going to hand you success. 🚫 No one is going to “notice” your effort unless you make it known. 🚫 No one is responsible for your growth except YOU. The apprentices who ask questions, seek feedback, and put themselves forward are the ones who get ahead. I see too many young people hesitate to network, voice their ideas, or ask for opportunities because they think they’re "not ready yet." Here’s the truth: You’ll never feel ready. Do it anyway. If you’re an apprentice, or just starting your career: ✅ Speak up. ✅ Take initiative. ✅ Make yourself visible. Because the people who advocate for themselves are the ones who create their own luck. What’s a lesson you wish you had learned earlier in your career? Drop it in the comments. 👇 #Apprenticeships #FirstJobLessons #GrowthMindset

🚀 Week 1 of Apprenticeship Fortnight – Done! 🎉 What a way to kickstart our Apprenticeship Fortnight! Last night, we had an incredible conversation in our OuterCircle x NHS Healthcare Industry Insight Webinar, where we heard first-hand from three inspiring NHS apprentices about their journeys into healthcare. 💡 Key Takeaways from the Session: ✅ Apprenticeships open doors to careers in healthcare, even at just 17 years old! ✅ Growth & development are limitless in the NHS, with clear pathways to higher qualifications and career progression. ✅ The right support makes all the difference—mentorship, training, and structured programs are key to apprentice success. A huge thank you to Lucy Hunte and the NHS Apprenticeships team for collaborating with us, and to our amazing panelists—Kamron, Tom Wakeman, and Becca—for sharing their journeys and insights. Your passion and commitment to the industry were truly inspiring! 🎥 Missed the session? Watch it here: 👇 📺 https://lnkd.in/erUHBhm4 💬 What’s next? Week 2 of Apprenticeship Fortnight is coming up—with even more insightful events, employer spotlights, and real apprentice stories. Stay tuned! If you’re an aspiring apprentice or an employer looking to engage with top talent, let’s connect! 🚀 Drop a 💙 in the comments if you joined us last night or tag someone who’d love to watch the session! #ApprenticeshipFortnight #OuterCircle #NHSApprenticeships #HealthcareCareers #EarlyCareers #WorkforceDevelopment