Education and Skills CEO drops in on West Midlands apprentices and providers
The Chief Executive of a Government skills agency dropped in on a West Midlands firm for an update on how leading firms are supporting apprentices in the region.
David Withey, CEO of the Education and Skills Funding Agency chatted with West Midlands apprentices in Birmingham last week to hear how the apprenticeship programme is equipping them with vital skills for work and life.
Around a dozen apprentices working towards several standards in Lean Manufacturing, Engineering and Management are employed at Beaucrest through black country training and apprenticeship provider Performance Through People.
Performance Through People work with over 350 employers across the region, delivering over 40 apprenticeship standards in a range of sectors including healthcare, business and professional, warehousing and retail.
"One of the best parts of my job is visiting providers and I’ve really enjoyed visiting Performance through People today, where I’ve been impressed by the fantastic quality of training and apprenticeships on offer to learners and students," said Mr Withy.
“ITPs are key and valued partners of the Department for Education and ESFA, delivering vital education and skills training through public funding amounting to around £1.5 billion a year."
Mr Withey also met with Association of Employment and Learning Providers CEO Ben Rowland and Vikki Sylvester, Chair of the Midlands Provider Network along with employers and stakeholders to discuss the importance of shaping a skilled workforce in the region through the apprenticeship brand.
Vikki Sylvester, Chair of the Midlands Provider Network, said: “This event has been a fantastic opportunity to unite key stakeholders in the Midlands. The collaboration among all stakeholders is crucial to the success of our apprentices and employers. Visits like these are immensely valuable in fostering such partnerships.
”Performance Through People have driven key regional employment initiatives and since 2014 been a leading partner in the delivery of the Ladder for Black Country apprenticeship initiative, which has expanded to encompass surrounding regions including Greater Birmingham, Coventry and Warwickshire, Shropshire and Staffordshire."
