National Apprenticeship Week 2021 takes place next week from 8 to 14 February. The annual week-long celebration of apprenticeships will shine a light on the amazing work being done by employers and apprentices across the country.

The national theme is ‘Build the Future’, aiming to encourage everyone to consider how apprenticeships help individuals to build the skills and knowledge required for a rewarding career.  

Torbay’s Apprenticeship Steering Group is working with partners to deliver local events that support the national campaign. The Group is also recognising how employers of all sizes have stepped up during these challenging times.

Councillor Swithin Long, Torbay Council Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration, Tourism and Housing, said: “Apprenticeships offer a great way for our business community to grow, bringing in new skills or developing existing staff skills. It’s also a great way for people in or out of work to develop their skills and their career. In Torbay, local partners are working together to deliver this campaign during National Apprenticeship Week. Our aim is to continue to bring communities, employers and training providers together.”

Rebecca Davies, Senior Economic Development Officer at TDA and Chair of the Apprenticeships Steering Group, said: “We are working together to provide interactive information and virtual events online during National Apprenticeship Week to support schools and students. Torbay’s Young Apprentice Ambassadors will also be taking part in the activities. This is a new group created last year under Torbay’s Opportunities through Apprenticeships pilot, led by TDA. Together, with partners, and through events and campaigns like these, we are sharing the value of apprenticeships and seeing more businesses in Torbay take on apprentices.”

To support National Apprenticeship Week 2021, individuals, employers, training providers and communities are being encouraged to get involved, to celebrate apprenticeships and how they:

• Train apprentices and future proof their workforce and careers through apprenticeships;
• Retain apprentices, gaining the skills and knowledge needed by the business, and seeing apprentices thrive, whilst having an impact;
• Achieve a real return on investment from apprentices; realising the business benefits of apprenticeships, with apprentices progressing in their chosen careers. 

Emily Tucker, Head of Apprenticeships and Employer Engagement at South Devon College, said: “We are really proud of our working partnership which continues to ensure that Apprenticeships remain a key priority. This will be more vital than ever as we start to emerge from lockdown. Apprenticeships are going to play a huge role in rebooting our local economy.”

For events hosted by South Devon College for employers and apprentices visit the South Devon College website.

The Torbay Business Forum is also talking about apprenticeship opportunities at its Breakfast Bytes meeting on Tuesday 9 February. You can find more details and register on the Torbay Business Forum website.

For apprenticeship resources for employers, parents and apprentices visit the Amazing Apprenticeships website.

To keep in touch follow #NAW2021 and #BuildTheFuture on social media.