Work is ongoing to double the number of Apprenticeship Ambassadors working with local schools in time for the start of the new academic year.
Ten Apprenticeship Ambassadors (AAs) have now been recruited and are completing their training with the East Midlands Apprenticeship Ambassador Network (AAN) and the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP) Careers Hub.
It came after a recruitment campaign led by the Careers Hub in February after it had emerged that there was just a single AA available to spread the word about apprenticeships across 91 schools and colleges in Leicester and Leicestershire.
Work has continued over the summer to extend the network further as the LLEP looks to start the autumn term with 20 AAs available to visit classrooms to help other young people better understand the local labour market and available career options.
By introducing AAs as relatable peer group members within communities, schools and employers are helping to change perceptions about apprenticeships in the region.
Students who subsequently express an interest in vocational training are introduced to the local Apprenticeship Skills and Knowledge Team (ASK) and the Careers Hub network.
The LLEP is now looking for local employers to join the AAN as Employer Ambassadors. In doing so they will develop the skills of their own apprentices, create a pipeline of future talent, and give back to schools in their communities.
The project will also increase the number of local AAs being recruited, trained and made available for classroom engagement.
AAs will be from a range of sectors and social backgrounds.
They will be supported by Employer Ambassadors who have a desire to support their communities and develop pipelines of new talent.
Andy Reed OBE, interim chair of the LLEP board, said: “Gains already made through this project, in terms of increasing the size of the network, will help towards our objective of increasing regional productivity by ensuring that we have people with the skills needed by our employers.
“Equally importantly, we are focusing on areas where apprenticeships are not typically being taken up.
“This is important because young people are particularly impacted by changes in the labour market which reduce entry level positions – and these are typically catered for by apprenticeships.”
The LLEP now has Apprentice Ambassadors representing local employers including EON, Jaguar Land Rover, and CE Civil Engineering.
