Digital Catapult’s Post

Impact in our regional economy is at the heart of what we do across the University of Warwick. Through delivering manufacturing expertise to SMEs, WMG, University of Warwick are providing much needed support, growth and skills. A £450million economic boost is real, tangible impact. 👏 #SME #RegionalGrowth #WestMidlands #growth #BusinessGrowth #BusinessSupport #manufacturing #SMESupport #LocalEconomy #BusinessImpact

It’s such an inspiring story! I agree that emphasizing university education alone often overlooks valuable pathways like apprenticeships, which countries like Switzerland and Germany successfully integrate—this alignment helps better meet workforce needs. It's important to value and promote these diverse educational routes to enhance workforce diversity. We must ensure that university degrees support, rather than undermine, this inclusive approach to education. If they become barriers to other valid forms of learning, we defeat the very purpose of education

For many years, Kerry Dryburgh was too embarrassed to answer the question, “What university did you go to?” It seems that now she is too embarrassed to answer any questions as she is restricting comments on her posts. This is hardly surprising when she is in a position of having to claim she has, “…celebrated this journey [an apprenticeship at 16 straight from school, where I worked and studied in my free time] ...on a #SocialMobilityDay panel…” against the backdrop of working for bp that have taken proud independent home-owning employees to the foot of the social ladder, selling their home and car to afford food and heating or reliant on benefits & charity. To be honest, in her position I would be too embarrassed to write the post let alone invite comment or questions. Use the link I have provided in one of the comments on this post to view a short video that shows the REAL effect bp has had on Social Mobility: ➡~£9k Pension - Full-time Carer & Home Up for Sale ➡~£2k Pension - After 9 House Moves in 12 Years ➡Poor Mental Health - Lifeline Car Now Unaffordable ➡Dementia Sufferer Age Over 90 - Struggling on a Small Pension ➡Stroke Victim Living Alone - Claim Rejected by bp Benevolent Fund ➡Under £9k Pension After 20 Years Service and Paying Additional Contributions ➡33 Years Service - The Choice Between Heating & Eating ➡34 Years Service & 96 Hour Weeks - Now Isolated & Ignored Want to end up at the bottom of the social ladder on benefits and charitable support? Apply to bp for a life-long career now. #BPpensions

A fresh take on workforce diversity that spotlights the often overlooked dimension of #agediversity in the workforce. At LinkedIn our mission is to create economic opportunities for every member of the global workforce, and it's heartening to see initiatives that resonate with this mission. The recent move by Euan Blair & Multiverse to offer apprenticeships to individuals over 55 is an acknowledgment of the value and potential within this demographic, and a way to retrain, upskill and tap into the talent of millions of professionals who are planning an early retirement. A powerful reminder that diversity isn't just about one aspect; it's about embracing the full spectrum of perspectives, ages, abilities, ethnicities, genders and more. Full article by The Times👇

Later career transitions are not an ending but another phase of a long-standing apprenticeship. See my analysis of some key factors of what’s involved.

#RandomThoughts on corporate culture and politics We need to replace the words interns and assistants to apprentices. We've made them these undesirable roles that are either underpaid or embodiments of scope creep. Apprenticeship is a form of giver's gain; time is the currency not in a demeaning exchange but one of mutual respect where your lens views your apprentice as a glimpse into what future leadership and innovations should hold as values. We should stop blaming Gen Z and Late millenials for rejecting a culture that breeds resentment. We sat too long in the sewage and confused it for a buffet. PSA: If your organisation isn't already prioritising mental health over your quarterly earnings, please stop digging that hole. It's only going to cave in and become your grave. #mcStudio

🚀 National Apprenticeship Week - Day 1: As we celebrate National Apprenticeship Week, it's crucial to recognise the transformative impact apprenticeships can have on individuals and businesses alike. Today, our focus is on challenging the perception that apprenticeships are merely a 'Plan B' - they are a robust, dynamic, and forward-thinking career path that deserves a spotlight alongside traditional routes like college and university. 🌐 Apprenticeships: A Gateway to Success 🌐 At Lifetime Training, firmly believe that apprenticeships are not a fallback but a strategic choice. Embracing this mindset, our Apprentice Recruitment team has set a paramount priority: attracting and engaging the Gen Z audience, to support our employers empower the next generation of talent. By 2025, Gen Z will constitute to 27% of the global workforce. They are not just the future; they are the present. Gen Z is known for its career focus, making them an asset for businesses aiming to future-proof their workforce. 💡 The Gen Z Advantage 💡 Apprenticeships are a win-win. For employers, tapping into this pool of motivated and career-driven individuals ensures a dynamic and innovative workforce. For Gen Z, it's an opportunity to learn, earn, and accelerate their career without the burden of student debt. 🌟 Championing Apprenticeships 🌟 Our Apprentice Recruitment team is committed to creating a compelling narrative around apprenticeships. We're not just offering a job; we're offering a pathway to success. Through strategic outreach, engaging content, and collaborative partnerships, we aim to make apprenticeships the top-of-mind choice for Gen Z talent. 🤝 Join the Movement 🤝 As we navigate the evolving landscape of education and careers, let's champion apprenticeships as a powerful alternative. Let's break free from the 'Plan B' stereotype and position apprenticeships as the 'Plan A' for ambitious individuals and forward-thinking businesses. Finally, have a read of the article below, that talks about the important of Apprenticeships for Gen Z but, of course, apprenticeships are for all, not just Gen Z, so keep your eyes peeled for my next post… #SkillsForAll #NAW2024 #NationalApprenticeshipWeek #GenZ #ApprenticeRecruitment #LifetimeNAW24 #LifetimeTraining

Read my new blog to discover how I have found my first 6 months at Ascendancy so far! #apprentice #digitalmarketing #blog

We're proud to be supporting Neurodiversity Celebration Week 2024 - a worldwide initiative that challenges stereotypes and misconceptions about neurological differences. It aims to transform how neurodivergent individuals are perceived and supported by providing schools, universities, and organisations with the opportunity to recognise the many talents and advantages of being neurodivergent, while creating more inclusive and equitable cultures that celebrate differences and empower every individual. Within our own sector, studies show that 25% of construction workers identify as neurodiverse, and this week our colleagues are being invited to get involved in group sessions to encourage conversation around how we're continuing to support and celebrate different minds within Keyline and the Travis Perkins Group. To date, our organisation has supported 120 neurodiverse colleagues through apprenticeship programmes with an additional 60 neurodiverse apprentices due to graduate in the near future. To find out more about how we're supporting diversity and inclusion across our Group visit https://lnkd.in/eb5GedgY or https://lnkd.in/eBaGBzUs #NeurodiversityWeek #DiversityAndInclusion #ConstructionIndustry

Across states and industries, employers are stepping up to ensure #diversity, #equity, #inclusion, and #accessibility are hallmarks of their #apprenticeship programs. Join with leaders such as Advocate Aurora Health, Make the Change (MTC), and Neurodiversity Works to make economic advancement possible for all while developing a skilled talent pipeline for your needs. Sign JFF’s Employer Pledge to Advance Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in Registered Apprenticeship: https://lnkd.in/ePn7W3zv #NAW2023