A university in Birmingham is the latest to join a campaign to create new apprenticeships across the metropolitan area.
Aston University is now an employer partner of the Ladder for Greater Birmingham campaign launched in 2018 with the aim of creating more than 1,000 new apprenticeship positions in Birmingham and Solihull.
The university will work with the campaign team to recruit students for their degree program, as well as recruiting its own trainees for Aston.
Mark Smith, Executive Director of Business and Regional Engagement at Aston University, said, “We had worked with the ladder before but hadn’t officially signed up, so I decided to join the vendors team because it matters that we all work together.
“We’re a very collaborative university and work directly with a variety of industries, so the ladder seemed like the next logical step.
The Greater Birmingham Apprenticeship Awards are back for 2021 and can now be submitted here.
The event takes place on Thursday November 11th at Edgbaston Stadium in Birmingham and celebrates apprentices, employers and training providers across 12 categories, including our All Apprentice of the Year.
The closing date for entries is Friday, September 17th, and sponsorship opportunities are now also available.
Please email richard.edwards@reachplc.com for details and follow the hashtag # GBAA21 for updates on social media.
You can find more information about our apprentice prizes and other events at www.reachplcevents.com.
“The plan is to respond to any inquiries they make to us from Greater Birmingham employers and to use the ladder connections to improve our own listing skills in relation to the apprenticeships we should be offering and where people believe Aston can add to activity. “
Aston University was one of the first in the UK to introduce a dedicated apprenticeship program and its portfolio of 17 undergraduate and postgraduate programs covers a wide range of subjects including engineering, leadership, transportation planning and digital marketing.
It works with those who study and learn, as well as with people who are already working and want to continue their education.
Around 1,300 students are currently studying there, and the university has around 470 different employers as partners, including well-known names such as Coca-Cola, DHL, Cadbury owner Mondelēz International and BMW.
In total, around 3,000 students complete the entire range of courses at the university every summer.
Mark Smith, Executive Director of Business and Regional Engagement at Aston University
Mr. Smith added, “We are part of a consortium that, together with several partners, is running one of the first technology institutes.
“If there is something that Aston is not particularly suited to, we can bring that opportunity to our broader collaboration.
“We really want to listen and change our output as a result of that listening.”
Ladder for Greater Birmingham is operated by community development group The Vine Trust and training provider Performance Through People, funded by the Greater Birmingham and Solihull LEP and the Birmingham and Solihull Training Provider Network, with BirminghamLive publisher Reach Midlands as media partner.
Head for Greater Birmingham
Part of the ongoing campaign was our annual Apprentice Awards, now open to entry, held at Edgbaston Stadium in November, honoring individuals, employers and training providers in a variety of categories.
Rob Colbourne, Managing Director of Performance Through People, said, “We are absolutely thrilled that Aston University is now part of the Greater Birmingham Ladder Network – demonstrating that education offers advancement opportunities from a level 2 standard, which four GCSE passports is equivalent to earning and learning at the same time, right up to studying.
“Apprenticeships are suitable for everyone at all levels and offer employers, individuals and of course the region a considerable price-performance ratio.”
To learn more about the Ladder for Greater Birmingham campaign and how hiring apprentices can benefit your company, visit www.ladderforbirmingham.co.uk or call 03332 409 699