Amazing Apprenticeships’ Time for Change series continues with a very special panel session during National Apprenticeship Week

Free to attend for employers and training providers, the 17th edition of the popular webinar series welcomes Genie Programme participants to share their inspirational stories and answer questions about how they are using their position as apprenticeship and early careers professionals to pave the way for social mobility, diversity and inclusion in their organisations.    

Hosted by the Founder and Director of Amazing Apprenticeships, Anna Morrison CBE, the panel will each offer insight into the steps their organisation has taken to address social mobility through apprenticeships, their experience to date, the projects they have put in place, offer insight into what worked for them and highlight the plans they are currently working on. 

First up is James Baker, the Learning & Development Manager, Apprenticeships Team at Howdens. Baker has been working in L&D and Apprenticeship roles for more than 6 years, driving social mobility through engagement and actively working towards Howdens’ commitment to supporting people from all backgrounds into employment. Social mobility, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of everything Baker instigates as he works to support Howdens to remove barriers to work and ensure opportunities are accessible to all.  

Joining Baker is Claire Sides, Head of Training at Steris IMS who oversees the delivery of internal training, accredited qualifications and an in-house apprenticeship programme to a workforce of over 1,300 employees in the UK. With over 20 years of experience in the education sector, Sides has a passion for equal opportunity driving her to form partnerships with external partners such as Autism Plus and Amazing Apprenticeships. 

“We’ve kept this special session for NAW 2023 broad so that we can inspire both employers who are just setting out on the apprenticeship path, and those with established apprenticeship programmes, as to just what they could achieve when they look at their programme design through a D&I lens,” said Morrison. “If you are an employer who already hires or is looking to hire an apprentice and you would like to use your opportunity to widen your recruitment pool, reach out to applicants from a lower socio-economic or diverse background, and expand your understanding when it comes to social mobility in apprenticeships then this session is for you.”  

As 2022-23 Genie Programme delegates, the panel of speakers are currently working on a brand-new Pitch for Change project alongside The Genie Programme team. The session will be an opportunity for employers to understand these new strategies and consider something similar within their own organisation. 

As always, the Time for Change session is free for employers, early careers professionals and training providers to attend. To register head over to the Amazing Apprenticeships website to secure your place.