2011 highlights
Thanks to the support of our partners, National Apprenticeship Week 2011 was hugely successful in raising the positive profile of Apprenticeships.
The highlights were:
- More than 500+ events and activities took place across the country
- Over 1,250 pieces of national, regional and trade press coverage were generated
- Over 220 pieces of broadcast media coverage, including 56 TV slots (BBC x 28, ITV x 20, Sky News x 6, CNBC x 2)
- 72 Ministers and MPs “going back to the floor”, visiting employers and apprentices in their local constituencies
- Over 650 employer calls to the NAS helpline (08000 150 600) during the week alone; staying at an average of 500 calls for the following six weeks
- Five organisations released positive Apprenticeship related research during the Week
- Longevity of press coverage – related articles were still appearing in the media 3 months afterwards.
Website and Social Media:
- Number of hits (visits to apprenticeships.org.uk over the week = 175,000. In 2010 we had 100,000 during National Apprenticeship Week)
- Number of visitors to the website over the Week: 130,000
- Facebook views during National Apprenticeship Week: 16,900; with 1,500 ‘likes’
- Total Twitter followers up to/including Sunday 13 February 2011: 3,221 and Apprenticeships were ‘trended’ for the first ever time (ie one of the top ten things being discussed on Twitter).
Here is just a small selection of the 2011 National Apprenticeship Week events that took place across the country:
National
The National Apprenticeship Week Launch – Monday 7 February 2011, London
Apprenticeship employer BT held a launch event in London to encourage other employers to take on apprentices. The event was attended by senior government ministers, Vince Cable and John Hayes, along with Mayor of London, Boris Johnson.
North West
All on Board the Mersey Ferry! – Friday 11 February 2011, Liverpool
Neil Scales, Chief Executive of Merseytravel, went back to the deck for National Apprenticeship Week 2011. The North West Apprenticeship Ambassador swapped the board room for a day to work alongside Mersey Maritime apprentices on the River Mersey.
West Midlands
Apprentice Taster Training – 7 – 10 February 2011, Birmingham
Practical ‘hands-on’ taster sessions offered an insight into the world of manufacturing. Held at the EEF Apprentice and Skills Training Centre, the event gave students the opportunity to sample various manufacturing skills and techniques to help inform them about the career pathways available within the sector.
East Midlands
Super Sonic Car Team Educated Students – Activities all Week, Derby
The team behind the latest World Land Speed Record attempt visited Derby College to give an insight into how the car was made. Visitors were able to find out how skills in engineering, maths, science, IT, and even textiles and geography had been used to create the incredible car. Driver Andy Green also gave presentations and talks during their visit.
East of England
Suffolk Construction Challenge – Friday 11 February 2011, Ipswich
50 of Suffolk’s best construction students from 5 local schools competed against each other in several trade disciplines at Otley College. The tasks were judged by construction companies based on quality, teamwork and health and safety.
South East
Scrap Heap Challenge – Wednesday 9 February 2011, Eastleigh College
Apprentices and school children worked as teams to solve an engineering challenge – to design, make, test and present a glider that could hold an egg! The pupils gained knowledge and understanding of the skills necessary to study Engineering and Automotive Apprenticeships.
Yorkshire and Humber
‘Apprentice Hopefuls Asked to Rise to the Challenge’ – 9 – 11 February 2011, Barnsley
Fosters Bakery gave apprentice hopefuls the chance to try their skills in its factory based in Barnsley, South Yorkshire and one lucky candidate was offered an Apprenticeship with the bakery and confectionary specialist.
North East
Supply Chain Event – Wednesday 9 February 2011, Washington
High profile car manufacturer and Apprenticeship employer, Nissan UK, organised a breakfast event for companies in their supply chain to encourage them to recruit apprentices for the first time or take on more.
South West
Woodwork Appreciation Workshops – 8 – 10 February 2011, Bristol
Furniture and woodwork sector training provider Didac, ran furniture and woodwork appreciation workshops for students and teachers in partnership with the Sector Skills Council Proskills, to promote Apprenticeships and careers in the sector.
London
Creative and Digital Media Apprenticeships Live at the British Film Institute – Friday 11 February 2011, London
The NAS, in collaboration with the regeneration agency Creative Process, hosted an evening at the British Film Institute (BFI) to showcase the Creative and Digital Media Apprenticeship. The event was opened by Channel 4’s Head of Learning and 4Talent Jo Taylor.
Last Updated: 02/12/2011