Apprenticeship information event at UCS on the Waterfront
The Apprenticeships for All campaign is set to meet Suffolk businesses in Ipswich.
The Suffolk-based campaign aimed at both better understanding and overcoming the barriers causing huge numbers of black, asian and minority ethnic (BAME) youngsters to ignore apprenticeship opportunities, has arranged a networking event at University Campus Suffolk (UCS) in Ipswich later this month.
The Apprenticeships for All campaign is supported by the National Apprenticeship Service which has awarded Suffolk County Council funding to address this issue.
In turn, the county has commissioned KUDOS Brightest Futures, a leading social venture with a strong track record in engaging with marginalised young people, to deliver a programme of activities and materials promoting apprenticeships to BAME young people.
The current rate of BAME youngsters involved in work based learning, specifically apprenticeships, is disproportionately low both across the country and in Suffolk. This is especially true in both the traditional craft-based sectors as well as more modern ones such as customer service and hospitality.
KUDOS has already launched both an online survey (https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/YJ5STWD) and a series of focus groups with BAME youngsters to better understand from their perspective what the barriers to taking up apprenticeships might be.
To build up an even clearer picture, KUDOS is now seeking the views of local BAME-led businesses at a networking and consultation event to be held at UCS on Wednesday November 27 from 6.30pm.
Leon Hall KUDOS’s creative director said: “this event will be a great opportunity for these important local employers to network and discuss their thoughts about apprenticeships. We will be very much in a listening mode as we are keen to get a 360 degree view as to the perceived benefits and barriers to apprenticeships in our county.
Any businesses interested in taking part in the November 27 event at UCS are asked to register by contacting: enquire@kudosbf.com
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