Skills
National Apprenticeship Week 2024 Taking place between 5 and 11 February, National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) is an opportunity for the education and skills sector to celebrate the achievements of apprentices and the positive impact they make to communities, businesses, and the wider economy. Apprenticeships are a fantastic way to earn a wage, achieve a qualification and gain work experience at the same time. They are available at different levels, to people of all ages in many roles and sectors from healthcare and finance through to hair & beauty, construction and motor vehicle – and can lead to a great career.
London South East Colleges will be holding a number of events during National Apprenticeship week, across its campuses in Bromley, Bexley and Greenwich. These include workshops for students and their parents/ carers, employer-led meetings, conferences and networking breakfasts.
Here’s a summary of what’s on during the week: DAY
EVENT
ATTENDEES
LOCATION
Monday 5th February
The Apprenticeship Summit In association with Royal Borough of Greenwich and Partners
Employers and Students
Woolwich Works
Tuesday 6th February
Student& Parents Apprenticeship Information Evening
External Students and LSEC Students
LSEC Bromley
Wednesday 7th February
Apprenticeship Workshops for Schools
External schools
LSEC Orpington
Thursday 8th February
Apprenticeship and T-Level Breakfast Briefing - In association with the South East London Chamber of Commerce
Employers
BR6 Restaurant, Orpington
Find your next Apprentice and Future Talent
Employers & selected LSEC students
FE Skills Exchange - Launch
Employers
Friday 9th February
LSEC Orpington
Rianna – Hair Apprentice “I'm currently doing a Level 2 hair professional qualification. My goal is to become an experienced stylist in a wellrecognised salon. I feel that I excel in colouring and can greatly enhance any haircut. I am really supported at London South East Colleges and I'm currently learning a wide variety of skills that I look forward to using in the beauty and hair industry!"
Charlie Horner – Carpentry and Joinery Apprentice “I secured myself a carpentry and joinery apprenticeship which specialised in fitting bespoke kitchens and wardrobes. I attended London South East Colleges’ Holly Hill campus one day a week and ended up achieving a distinction in my City & Guilds End Point Assessment test. I’m very proud to say that I am a skilled tradesperson and I’m looking forward to the next stage of my career. I have already gone self-employed and intend to set up a family business at some point in the future.”
Cynthia Oti – Level 5 Operational Manager Apprentice “I’m 41 years old and a matron working at the Lewisham and Greenwich NHS, Lewisham Hospital site. I enrolled on this apprenticeship as a new ward manager. I wanted to gain additional knowledge and skills on how to manage my team more effectively, to help achieve organisational goals and strategies. This has positively impacted my organisation, enabling us to meet local and national objectives. I was even awarded a highly commended prize in the Regional Apprenticeship Awards (London).”
For more information about what’s on offer at London South East Colleges, to find out more about apprenticeships or to sign up for an employer event, visit www.lsec.ac.uk/events
GOOD WORK BROMLEY EXCHANGE A brand-new employment and skills centre has been launched at London South East Colleges’ Orpington Campus. The ‘Good Work Bromley Exchange’ has been created through a unique partnership with the College, the London Borough of Bromley and Local London (the GLA), Bromley Mencap and CASPA. Working with the Department for Work and Pensions, Maximus, Bromley Well, local housing associations and other local charities, the initiative is aimed at supporting people from across the borough who may be struggling to gain employment. This includes those with additional needs such as autism and mental health challenges.
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Experts from the partner organisations and the college will be on hand at the Good Work Bromley Exchange to provide specialist support for anyone who needs it. There will be many opportunities on offer for applicants, including referral onto courses at London South East Colleges and progression into employment via Work Skills Programmes and Sector-Based Work Academy Programmes (SWAPs). Neil Coates, Deputy Principal Adults, Enterprise and Employability at LSEC spoke to attendees about the project and the benefits it will have. He said: “This is such an exciting project, which will help people of all ages from across the Borough access training and employment
opportunities. This will enable them to gain the skills and knowledge needed to get into the workplace, achieve their career ambitions and fulfil their potential. “Working in partnership with the council, the DWP, local charities and employers is a fantastic example of collaboration – together we can have a greater impact and support more local people.” The Good Work Bromley Exchange is keen to get more employers involved, so please do get in touch if you can help and would be interested in supporting local people into work. For further information please contact: goodworkbromley@lsec.ac.uk
