8 February 2011
Celebrating National Apprenticeship Week
Lewisham College is celebrating National Apprenticeship
Week this week by pledging to become the number one
provider of apprenticeships in South London.
Head of Apprenticeships at Lewisham College Pamela Rathbone
said: "Apprenticeships are at the core of Lewisham College's
strategic thinking and are at the heart of the government's skills
agenda. We're working with organisations of every size across
London to provide the highest quality and widest range
apprenticeship recruitment and training.
"Apprenticeships ensure that a business' workforce have the
practical skills, knowledge and qualifications they need now and in
the future. Connecting with employers and demonstrating the
business benefits of taking on apprentices will be a fundamental
part of Lewisham College's work in 2011 and beyond."
The Skills People, Lewisham College's employer services branch,
currently train and support over 200 apprentices, a number they are
hoping to more than treble in the coming year. The Skills People
work with businesses from a range of industries to create tailor
made apprenticeship training programmes for existing employees and
bespoke programmes for recruiting and embedding apprentices within
an organisation.
According to research conducted for the National Apprenticeship
Service, 80% of employers who employ apprentices agree they make
their workplace more productive.
Lewisham College Beauty Apprentice Charlotte Remy, who works at
Beauty Inspires in Catford, was visited by Heidi Alexander MP this
week who was on a fact finding mission about apprenticeships.
Charlotte had the chance to show off her skills and give Ms
Alexander a mini manicure.
Charlotte says: "Before coming to Lewisham College, I was
working part time in a shoe shop, living day to day. Actually, I
wasn't really living, I was just existing. Earning money because I
knew I had to, but I hated it, I knew it wasn't for me.
"Doing an apprenticeship has really benefited me; I've learned a
lot of things at work. Being in the salon means that I've seen how
to apply acrylics and I've picked up new routines for doing facials
too. I really enjoy being in the salon and I'm really starting to
reap the benefits - I can't explain how much I've learned!
"As far as the future's concerned, I'd like to do my Level 3
Apprenticeship next. Of course everyone dreams of opening their own
salon, but I like to focus on short term goals. I love where I'm
working at the moment; I'm just hoping they keep me on after my
apprenticeship."
Heidi Alexander said: "At a time when jobs are still hard to
come by, apprenticeships can make a real difference to people who
want to gain skills and improve their chances in the job market. My
dad started his working life as an apprentice and so I know just
how important they can be as a first career step. "
Inspire Beauty salon boss Sian Hayes added: "Having an
enthusiastic, hard working apprentice really makes a difference to
your salon. It's also good to be able to give someone a foot in the
door of the industry."
Want to find out more about apprenticeships? Call 0800 977
8748 to chat to our apprenticeship specialists.