Are you a current or former Apprentice, or do you employ Apprentices? Inspire and motivate others to understand the benefits of Apprenticeships
Description
Lancashire Apprenticeship Ambassador Network (LAAN) is part of a county-wide drive to improve and increase the apprenticeship opportunities for people and in turn improve the skills and productivity in businesses.
Apprenticeship Ambassadors are all either current Apprentices or former Apprentices who support a variety of events and activities that aim to share their experience as an apprentice.
Apprentice Ambassadors volunteer their time to inspire and motivate the apprentices of tomorrow.
The role includes:
- Live and virtual presentations at local schools or colleges
- Attending and speaking to people at career events
- Supporting mock assessment centre workshops
- Participating in social media campaigns
- Sharing experience using blogs, videos, and formal case studies
As an Apprentice Ambassador you will:
- Share your apprenticeship story to inspire others
- Boost your professional and personal skills
- Meet new people and build your network
- Participate in workshops and social media campaigns
- Be able to access wider training and development resources
- Share insights to influence and inform policy decisions
- Support and inspire career decisions
How much time is involved?
By signing up to become an apprentice ambassador you agree to:
- Join your local network with access to regional networks
- Be a member for at least 1 year
- Volunteer to attend at least 2 events or activities per year
- Promote the array of apprenticeship options available
Lancashire Employer Ambassadors are employers who want to advocate the benefits of Apprenticeships to other employers and young people. They may even have been apprentices themselves and are passionate about their experiences.
The role of an Employer Ambassador includes:
- Supporting and influencing key stakeholders including schools, colleges, employers and their supply chains, trade associations and employment bodies.
- Championing and supporting marketing, publicity and events to raise awareness of Apprenticeships and also mentoring other employers.
Benefits to Businesses
Becoming an Apprenticeship Ambassador has a huge range of benefits for your business, these include:
- Telling people your Apprenticeship story which may inspire them to become an Apprentice.
- Providing insight into your organisation, industry and the opportunities available in the local labour market.
- Raising awareness of the opportunities at your company and attract the next generation of Apprentices to your business.
- Developing social mobility.
- Being part of a network of employers across Lancashire and the North West who promote and champion Apprenticeships.
- Championing and supporting marketing, publicity and events to raise awareness of Apprenticeships.
What does it involve?
- Championing and promoting Apprenticeships with young people, teachers, parents and carers
- Attending events, careers fairs, delivering presentations, being involved with lessons and activities etc.
- Share your experience of Apprenticeships and best practice with young people
- Act as role model for apprentices and championing Apprenticeships with and on behalf of employers, encouraging them to offer high quality Apprenticeship opportunities to young people.
- Advocating Apprenticeships internally within your own organisation; supporting the development of Apprenticeship opportunities.
- Acting as the voice of/ to young people – a sounding board for consultations on the future direction of Apprenticeships.
Ideally, you will be expected to engage with at least 2 activities per year and attend network meetings.
‘Being an apprentice ambassador has helped me improve my confidence and leadership skills through presenting about a topic I am passionate about. Having ambassadors as such would have greatly benefitted myself when I was in secondary education by allowing me to view different pathways that fit me, not the other way round – so I am very proud to be part of a network that encourages and empowers those taking a step away from the norm.’