How is your apprenticeship going? Is your training up to scratch? What about your end-point assessment, if you’ve got that far? The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education’s recently revamped panel of apprentices is seeking your answers to these questions in an online survey.
Running until 29 May (that’s this Friday!), the apprentice panel, which is made up of current and former apprentices, is gathering feedback on the quality of training and end point assessments, to inform its mission to inform and influence the institute’s work and the government’s policy on apprenticeships in a tangible way.
The survey also asks for comments on the impact that Covid-19 is having on apprenticeships. This additional scope is critically important in the current environment, so you should really consider participating so that the institute and apprentice panel can amass as much information and feedback as possible.
You can access the survey by clicking here—remember, the closing date for comments is this Friday
Meet the apprentice panel
The institute’s panel of apprentices has just been refreshed with new recruits.
The panel meets every other month at the institute’s offices (and elsewhere) to discuss current topics, ideas for the future and offer the opinion of apprentices to the government. This includes regular meetings with ministers and senior government officials, so the panel has a unique opportunity to influence developments at the very highest levels.
Apprentices on the panel are encouraged to be visible and enthusiastic ambassadors for apprenticeships in a range of ways, and are responsible for gathering the insights of as many apprentices as possible, and ensuring these are able to be heard and understood by those with the power to change things for the better. They also work with the institute’s relationship managers and other officials to ensure its apprenticeship standards are as good as they can possibly be.
As above, the institute will support panel members to survey apprentices, and to find speaking opportunities. There will be guidance about how best to promote apprenticeships using social media and other channels. Apprentice panel members might also get the opportunity to talk to the media.
Jennifer Coupland, chief executive of the institute, had this to say on the new recruits: “I would like to welcome the new panel members who have joined six existing members staying on for a second year.”
“They will play an important role in providing the institute, along with employers who help us develop new apprenticeships, with invaluable insight into the experiences of the people who matter most–the apprentices themselves. This is more important than ever in these challenging times.”
The revamped panel is made up of people from a wide variety of sectors and different backgrounds.
Amber Storey
Age: 24
Employer: Historic England
Apprenticeship: Historic Environment Advice Assistant (Level 4)
Training provider: Strode College
Assigned route: Creative and Design
Reasons for joining the panel: I want to encourage other people struggling to break into and succeed in my sector to try the apprenticeship route. I know first-hand how hard it is, even with an academic background, to gain a foothold in such a competitive industry when it’s so difficult to acquire hands-on experience. I had never considered applying for an apprenticeship before. However, when my employer put out the opportunity to apply for this apprenticeship, it gave me the chance to gain experience and training, without losing the traction I was gaining from my job role.
Saarah Zaman
Age: 20
Employer: Severn Trent Water
Apprenticeship: HR Consultant (Level 5)
Training provider: Crosby Training Management
Assigned route: Business Admin
Reasons for joining the panel: I wanted to do this because I am super-passionate about apprenticeships. I was selected as a finalist for the BAME (Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnics) apprenticeship awards in the financial, legal and professional services category. I act as mentor for new apprentices at my company and have participated in the World Skills Show at the NEC for the past two years, showcasing why apprenticeships should be considered by young people. I aim to contribute to the panel by sharing views and concerns that I hope will help drive improvements to the system.
Angela Hogg
Age: 41
Employer: Lloyds Banking Group
Apprenticeship: Digital Technology Solutions Specialist (Level 6)
Training provider: Manchester Metropolitan University
Assigned route: Legal, Finance and Accounting
Reasons for joining the panel: I joined my apprenticeship scheme aged 40, having had a good career. However, I found after a few restructures that I was struggling to push to the next level, and I needed to do something radical. My company is undergoing a digital transformation and the digital technology solutions degree apprenticeship seemed a great opportunity. I joined the panel to be an advocate for people looking for alternatives, especially as we will be working longer. Many people will need to adapt as environments change.
Dillon Jones
Age: 24
Employer: Derry Building Services
Apprenticeship: Installation Electrician/Maintenance Electrician (Level 3)
Training provider: JTL
Assigned route: Construction
Reasons for joining the panel: I am confident that I can make a difference for future apprentices not only in my field but throughout the UK’s workforce. Being a part of the apprenticeship panel enables all of our apprentices to have a voice and make sure that they are heard, not only by their employer but by the government as well. I also want to get the message across that earning while you’re learning is a massive benefit for apprenticeships and one that is often overlooked.
John Alfred
Employer: Paul Edmonds London
Apprenticeship: Hair Professional (Level 2)
Training provider: Cheynes Training
Assigned route: Hair and Beauty
Reasons for joining the panel: I love my industry and will take every opportunity that arises to represent it. I have worked within teams on different levels, inside and outside of London, and so I believe I can bring a wider view of what it is like to train in hairdressing.
David John
Age: 31
Employer: First Bus Hampshire & Dorset
Apprenticeship: Bus and Coach Engineering Technician (Level 3)
Training provider: Total People
Assigned route: Transport and Logistics
Reasons for joining the panel: As a member, I want to develop a network of connections with other apprentices and gain more insight into their roles. In addition, I will use this opportunity to voice concerns and identify strengths and weaknesses that will affect learning. As a mature apprentice, I hope to use my confidence, knowledge and work experience to relate the relevant and current issues that will encourage new engineers for the future.
Joel Roach
Age: 20
Employer: Microsoft
Apprenticeship: Chartered Manager Degree (Level 6)
Training provider: QA
Assigned route: Business Admin
Reasons for joining the panel: Having experienced both university and an apprenticeship, I know the huge value the latter can bring. I feel there is a tendency to view traditional university as the default option, with more and more students going because they don’t know what alternatives are available. I want to raise the profile of apprenticeships so that students who have doubts about the traditional university route can find an option that’s best for them.
Jamilah Simpson
Age: 20
Employer: WhiteHat
Apprenticeship: (former) Digital Marketer (Level 3)
Training provider: WhiteHat
Job title: Community President
Assigned route: Creative and Design
Reasons for joining the panel: I want to be able to share the views of my peers and act as a representative to the apprentice community across the country. I am passionate about making sure apprentices’ voices are heard. I will bring forward any concerns and feedback from my apprentice network. I would also like to continue challenging negative perceptions around apprenticeships.
Jacqueline Kankam-Hoppe
Age: 19
Employer: Karine Jackson
Apprenticeship: Advanced and Creative Hair Professional (Level 3)
Training provider: City and Guilds
Assigned route: Hair and Beauty
Reasons for joining the panel: I want to help current and future apprentices get the most out of their training. Working in the past at a salon where I was unhappy, and training wasn’t prioritised, led to the deterioration of my wellbeing and mental health. Apprentices work very hard and most have to juggle work with outside factors such as being parents or carers, money problems and school deadlines. With the help of this panel, I would want to use my platform to work towards the goal of apprentices getting the right training in a positive environment and the recognition that they deserve.
Amelia Russell
Age: 22
Employer: Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education
Apprenticeship: Business Administrator (Level 3)
Training provider: KnowledgePool
Assigned route: Education and Child Care
Reasons for joining the panel: I am passionate about apprenticeships. I aim to really show off how amazing they are for people from all backgrounds. Being a care leaver, I faced many barriers in my life. I finally feel like my apprenticeship has opened so many doors. I am proud to say, “I am an apprentice”, and joining the panel will provide a unique opportunity to influence how they develop in the future.
Sam Davies
Age: 23
Employer: University of Manchester
Apprenticeship: Laboratory Technician (Level 3)
Training provider: Trafford College
Assigned route: Health and Science
Reasons for joining the panel: I have a passion for apprenticeships and want to be involved in their development and advertisement, helping ensure others can experience the same opportunities I have. Many people feel that university is the obvious next step post-school or -college. I want to be a part of the panel, so that I can help to raise awareness of the apprenticeships on offer and get the message to young people that they don’t have to go to university to get a good job. I would also like to focus on helping to promote apprenticeships (specifically science-related roles) to conventionally underrepresented groups of people. For example, there has been a lack of representation of women in science. I also think more people from BAME backgrounds should be represented.
Marcus Kaye
Age: 22
Employer: IBM
Apprenticeship: Data Analyst (Level 4)
Training provider: Firebrand Training
Assigned route: Digital
Reasons for joining the panel: Apprenticeships are a proven and effective way of increasing skills in the workplace and I wanted the opportunity to help influence and further improve their promotion, creation and delivery going forward.
Kat Paricos
Age: 21
Employer: Unilever
Apprenticeship: Food Industry Technical Professional (Level 6)
Training Provider: Nottingham Trent University
Assigned route: Health and Science
Reasons for joining the panel: I really want to ensure that apprenticeships can be the best they can be and that all employers and training providers provide apprentices with the best experience they can. I want to help make the voice of apprentices heard and to ensure there is a greater understanding around what an apprenticeship is for students, teachers and parents, and the benefits it can bring.
Ricardo Costa
Age: 20
Employer: Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education
Apprenticeship: Commercial Procurement and Supply (Level 4)
Training provider: Knowledgepool
Assigned route: Sales, Marketing and Procurement
Reasons for joining the panel: After speaking about my own experiences at a National Apprenticeship Week event, I realised I had a passion for spreading awareness. I loved talking about how my apprenticeship changed my life for the better. I have since joined a network with other apprentices from the Education and Skills Funding Agency and other organisations. As my sphere of contacts grows, along with my background knowledge on what the panel does through my work at the institute, I thought the next step was for me to become a part of it.
Nikki Greaves
Age: 20
Employer: GSK
Apprenticeship: Laboratory Scientist (Level 5)
Training provider: University of Kent
Assigned route: Health and Science
Reasons for joining the panel: I want to help apprentices gain the best experience they can out of their apprenticeships. It also seems like a good way to promote apprenticeships to others in order to raise awareness and potentially get more people interested in this pathway.
Louis Curtis
Age: 22
Employer: Aggregate Industries
Apprenticeship: Mineral Products Technology (Level 5)
Training provider: University of Derby
Assigned route: Construction/Engineering and Manufacturing
Reasons for joining the panel: I feel extremely lucky to have been accepted back on to the panel for a second year. I have been able to represent the voice of apprentices, not only from my industry but from the East Midlands, to key stakeholders who share my passion for improving the availability and quality of apprenticeships. It has been a brilliant opportunity so far to meet with like-minded apprentices and I want to continue to drive the panel forward and help it to achieve its objectives of becoming a well-founded source of information to the institute, government and industry leaders.
Raisa Matadar
Age: 23
Employer: Jaguar Land Rover
Apprenticeship: Engineering Technician (Level 3)
Training provider: MAKE UK (formerly known as EEF)
Assigned route: Engineering and Manufacturing
Reasons for joining the panel: I want to help ensure that apprentices across the country have a positive apprenticeship experience and that they feel competent and supported to progress in their careers. As an apprentice, in my previous job I had an experience so poor that I had to leave, but in my new role, I have since seen the impact that a high-quality apprenticeship can have. I have been, and always will be, a keen advocate for apprenticeships. Being a part of this panel will allow me to help ensure apprentices across the country are given a voice to create change.
Samantha Ross
Age: 21
Employer: Bevan Brittan LLP
Apprenticeship: Solicitor (Level 7)
Training provider: BPP University
Assigned route: Legal, Finance and Accounting
Reasons for joining the panel: I have been an apprentice for nearly three years now. I originally completed a level 3 paralegal apprenticeship and I have now progressed onto level 7. Having already completed one end-point assessment, I wanted to join the panel to share my views and experiences of this to help develop future apprenticeships. I will strive to voice the opinions of fellow apprentices and look forward to witnessing the changes over the coming years, as the route into the legal profession continues to adapt.
New recruits are still being sought if you’re interested in getting involved? The institute needs current or former apprentices from protective services, care services, hospitality and catering, and agriculture and animal care. If you are an apprentice from one of those routes and are interested in applying, please email lily.anderson@education.gov.uk.
