APPRENTICESHIPS :
A way of connecting people with ambition to businesses with a vision . Is that you ?
As part of our commitment to supporting organisations and individuals to get the best from apprenticeships , the SWLEP Growth Hub has a dedicated Skills Adviser assisting with all things ' apprenticeship '.
Please reach out if you need :
• Help with deciding if having an apprentice would work for your business
• Guidance on choosing the options for course and standards of apprenticeship
• Assistance with the ongoing process
Organisations of all sizes and sectors can offer apprenticeships . There are a huge variety of apprenticeships available and plenty of support if , as a business owner , you are unsure if they are right for you and your business . Three webinars were created by the Skills team specifically for National Apprenticeship Week and are available watch post event . Each webinar outlines the key areas of value that apprenticeships can bring to growing organisations .
DEVELOPING NEW TALENT Most people have the historic view that apprentices are school-leavers , young and inexperienced . As you will read below , this is no longer always the case . That said , whilst young people entering into a more basic level apprenticeship within a business environment may have only recently left school , they can still bring a great deal of new talent to your organisation .
Digital skills , in particular , are a key benefit of hosting a young person , plus you have the opportunity to develop the individual to work in a way that you need for your specific situation . There are a number of apprenticeship standards and levels , with some options to mould the modules to suit your individual circumstances .
FILLING YOUR SKILLS GAP 86 per cent of employers said apprenticeships helped them develop skills relevant to their organisation .
By offering an exciting opportunity to someone that may have worked elsewhere previously , they can bring a wealth of transferable skills which can be further honed and developed according to the specific needs of your organisation . From basic to degree levels , there is bound to be one suitable for your requirements which will attract the right candidate .
Higher level apprenticeships , in particular , are a great recruitment tool to bring in a talented and experienced workforce that are committed to their progression in their chosen career or industry .
RETAINING , RETRAINING AND MOTIVATING EXISTING TALENT Utilising apprenticeships to upskill and motivate staff is a great way to prepare your business for the future .
No-one likes to lose quality staff , but if they no longer have the right skills needed for the future you plan for your business , you might think you would have to consider letting them go . But why not offer them the opportunity to develop or change career direction by utilising an apprenticeship which will enable them to develop the skills you will need for the future ?
Using apprenticeships to upskill existing staff can help to motivate them , assist in their career progression whilst also helping futureproof your company .
WHAT SKILLS CAN BE LEARNT VIA AN APPRENTICESHIP ? Do you operate in the space industry ? Do you need a space engineering technician ? There ’ s an apprenticeship offering for that . Do you run a marketing agency ? Do you need a junior advertising creative ? There ’ s an apprenticeship offering for that too .
In fact , there are currently 697 apprenticeship standards approved for delivery and potential standards for use by employers which can help people of all ages pursue a great career and provide organisations with skilled , bespoke talent . In addition to talking to one of the Growth Hub ’ s Skills Advisers to find out more , you can also investigate the wealth of resources available on the Government ’ s apprenticeship website www . apprenticeships . gov . uk .
The site details the many sectors serviced by apprenticeships including :
• Agriculture , environment and animal care
• Business and administration
• Care services
• Catering and hospitality
• Construction
• Creative and design
• Digital
• Education and childcare
• Engineering and manufacturing
• Hair and beauty
• Health and science
• Legal , finance and accounting
Within each sector , there are a number of available standards , or training courses which make up each apprenticeship . The Institute for Apprenticeships website contains full details of the standards that are available ( 697 at the time of writing ). More are added regularly and in consultation with business leaders and employers to ensure that the apprenticeship qualifications are fit for purpose in today ’ s economy .
18 www . tbeswindonandwilts . co . uk
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
SWINDON AND WILTSHIRE'S
MOST INSPIRING WOMEN
Lisa Berry,
Founder of Swindon-based
Cheeky Little Prints
For more info:
www.cheekylittleprints.co.uk
Kathryn Wellum-Kent,
Director of Business Services
at MHA Monahans
For more info:
www.monahans.co.uk
Reshma Field, Founder
of Ishbel's Wardrobe and
Swindon Will Writing
For more info:
www.ishbelswardrobe.co.uk
By Anita Jaynes Founder of The Business Exchange
We’re celebrating Swindon and Wiltshire’s most inspiring
women to mark International Women’s Day 2022 which this
year takes place on Tuesday 8th March.
Kate Westbrook, Partner
and Head of Commercial at
Thrings solicitors, Swindon
Through our social media channels, we asked our readers
which women in our community inspire them and here's our
list of 22 for '22.
I came up with the idea having recently been
named in the f:Entrepreneur ‘ialso100’ 2022.
A UK-wide campaign which celebrates the
multi-achievements of women running
businesses in the UK today. I was humbled
to be recognised alongside 99 amazing
women from across the UK, including two
ladies from Wiltshire, Natalie Sherman and
Surinder Hothi-Bellamy, also listed below.
Natalie, Surinder and I are all excited to be
going to London on 7th March as we've been
invited to a special Women's Day Celebration
of Female Entrepreneurship at the House of
Lords. Follow us on social media, as I'm sure
we'll share lots of photos of our big day out.
As many of you may know, The Business
Exchange covers Swindon & Wiltshire and
Bath & Somerset, with dedicated offerings
for both areas. We've created a separate
list of 22 inspiring women from Bath and
Surinder Hothi-Bellamy,
Co-Founder of
Salisbury-based Pure Punjabi
For more info:
www.purepunjabi.co.uk
Laura Phillips,
Founder of cancer support
charity, We Get It
For more info:
www.wegetit.org.uk
Veronica Hannon, Founder
of Bradford on Avon's
Transform Communications
For more info:
www.transformcommunications.co.uk
Somerset and we're inviting women from
across both areas to join us for a special
International Women's Day event in Bath
on the evening of Tuesday 8th March from
7-9pm. The event is being hosted at the new
House of St John's co-working and event
space at 1, Queen Square, Bath. You will
have the opportunity to hear first-hand some
of these ladies journeys, warts and all. It will
be a night of fun, laughter and celebration.
Val Huxley, Founder of
Devizes-based charity
Business against Poverty
For more info:
www.businessagainstpoverty.com
Helen Forsyth, Co-Founder
of Corsham-based Find
Marketing
For more info:
www.find.marketing
Natalie Sherman,
Founder of Corsham-based
Naturally Social
For more info:
www.naturallysocial.co.uk
For more info:
www.thrings.com
Tickets are available via Eventbrite. Follow
'The Business Exchange South West' and
click on the International Women's Day
event to find out more and to book. We hope
you can join us! Congratulations to all the
women nominated for this list and a huge
thank you to them all for the fantastic work
they do in our community which makes the
area we live and work in a special place
to be.
Denise O'Leary MBE,
Founder of Chippenham-
based Purpol Marketing
For more info:
www.purpolmarketing.co.uk
Barbara Leatham, Salisbury-
based Corporate and
Commercial Photographer
For more info:
www.barbaraleatham.com
Lucy Paine,
Tech-connector for TechSpark
Swindon and Wiltshire
For more info:
www.techspark.co/swindon-wilts/
Michelle Eddahar,
Founder of Trowbridge-based
Business Women in
For more info:
www.businesswomenin.org
Kathryn Roynon, Founder
of Corsham-based KR HR
Consultancy
For more info:
www.krhrconsultancy.co.uk
Fiona Scott, Founder of
Swindon-based Scott Media
For more info:
www.scottmedia.uk
Catherine Gladwyn,
Founder of Swindon-based
Delegate VA
For more info:
www.catherinegladwyn.co.uk
Sara Witham, Founder of
Swindon-based Evil Empire
For more info:
www.evilempire.co.uk
Gemma Young, Founder of
Corsham-based Queens
Square Wealth Management
For more info:
www.queenssquarewealth.co.uk
Angela Atkinson, Founder of
AA Editorial Services and
Born Again Swindonian
For more info:
www.swindonian.me
Shirley Ludford,
Founder of Swindon 105.5
community radio station
For more info:
www.swindon1055.co.uk
Sinéad Nolan,
Harry's Healing Fund
For more info:
http://ow.ly/HfUQ50HB2pL
Kathryn Crosweller,
Co-Founder of charity
Women & Girls
For more info:
www.womenandgirls.org.uk
Visit The Business Exchange Swindon & Wiltshire website from Tuesday 1st March
as we profile these 22 fantastic women and find out more about their work.
Go to: www.tbeswindonandwilts.co.uk
To find out more about International Women's Day visit:
www.internationalwomensday.com
This year's International Women's Day theme is Break The Bias.
Follow the conversation on social using the hashtag #BreakTheBias
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www.tbeswindonandwilts.co.uk
THE BUSINESS EXCHANGE 2022
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