National Apprenticeship Week 2024: Skills for Life
You might’ve heard of apprenticeships, but did you know that 2024 marks the 17th year since the UK began celebrating National Apprenticeship Week? Each year, NAW takes place during the first week of February to celebrate the value of apprenticeships and all the opportunities they can bring to apprentices and employers. The theme for this year is ‘Skills for Life’, with all involved to reflect on how apprenticeships can develop the necessary skills for a future career.
Many people think that apprenticeships are just another route for school-leavers. While much of the promotional material for them are most definitely targeted towards 16- and 18-year-olds, the lifelong skills provided from taking on an apprenticeship can be beneficial to anyone at any age.
Did you know that 48% of all apprenticeships started in 2022/23 were by those who are 25 and over? Research briefing from the House of Commons Library published last month shows that while they still make up a significant proportion of all those taking on apprenticeships those who are 25 or over had “the largest percentage decrease” over the years, meaning the number has been even higher previously.
One of those is our own apprentice at A4R, Jess Morrison. She recently joined as a Fundraising Apprentice on our Development Team. Joining us back in November 2023, she’s still learning the ropes, by juggling both her studies with the Juice Academy as well as working for us to gain her Level 3 fundraising qualification. Through this process, she’ll be able to put what she learns in theory straight into practice.
It’s a win-win-win situation for both her, A4R, and tenants who need our help – Jess has joined at just the right time with the expansion of our team into Hereford. “At the moment, I’m working on smaller grants. That would be grants for our new Hereford office, trying to get them new IT equipment, which I think is a big thing for everyone,” she notes. We recently expanded into rural Herefordshire because of the need from renters. Prior to the opening of our newest branch, Herefordshire had no Legal Aid providers while neighbouring Worcestershire has one sole provider. Having Jess on board means that we can now focus on further developing our services and how to best reach those who need our help by bringing in more funds.
Previously having been in the digital marketing sphere, she didn’t feel fulfilled by her job but did not want to pay for tuition if she took on a different university course. Now working for A4R, she feels that she can utilise her skills for something that aligns more with her personal values and beliefs of respect, empathy, and gratitude. “I like seeing the change that our team has done for local communities, and the passion they have and the dedication to making positive change in people’s lives. I think that’s something that really inspires me,” she adds.
This probably hits home as she’s been through it herself – just as many of us have. She had no idea she could reach out to someone for legal advice until she found A4R. She notes that her outlook on housing has completely changed since starting her fundraising apprenticeship. She’s now consistently talking about housing injustice wherever she goes, even finding herself talking about housing issues in taxis and to people she meets. “I’ve learnt more about different laws and legislations now as well, especially like Section 21 and what to do in cases of disrepair. It’s one of the skills that I’ve learnt from this role so far.”
While apprenticeships bring many benefits, not many are
aware of them and how they can provide the ‘foot in the door’ for a career in the charity sector where experience is vital. “For the longest time, I didn’t even really know that [fundraising] was a career you can go into – it’s not really a mainstream, ‘talked-about’ career path,” she mentions. But now that she’s stepped into the world of fundraising, her apprenticeship course allows her to not only hone her skills but to also network with those in the same field. “I’ve always found networking to be quite hard as an introvert, but networking with people in your field is a lot easier.”
For her, another major highlight of this course is getting the “best of both worlds” of learning and working and being able to work a supportive environment where she can unleash her creativity, so A4R is a great match. “I’ve worked in bigger teams where I’ve often felt like because I was the most junior person, I wouldn’t be able to speak up. I like the working culture here, it’s nice to be so open and honest about things, and I’ve always wanted to be part of a team that’s working towards change.”
The charity sector is one of many when it comes to the world of apprenticeships. The Government have set up a ‘Find an Apprenticeship’ service where you can find one in your local area that suits your needs. To learn more about what an apprenticeship can offer, click here to see where it takes you!