EVENT REPORT

“It was fantastic to see so many people celebrating apprenticeships and their individual achievements.”

LEICESTER APPRENTICESHIP HUB

GRADUATION CEREMONY 2015 EVENT REPORT Welcome The first graduation event for higher and advanced level apprentices in the Leicestershire area took place on 18 June 2015. These achievements are at the same level as university graduation, and we wanted to congratulate our apprentices working under the Hub Charter Group training providers.

GRADUATION IN NUMBERS 120 ADVANCED APPRENTICES 10 HIGHER APPRENTICES 18 INTERMEDIATE APPRENTICES

The event was a huge success and it 8 was great to see apprenticeships being APPRENTICESHIP PROVIDERS given the prestige and respect they richly deserve. I would like to extend my thanks 90 to the employers who have supported our REPRESENTATIVES FROM apprentices and I hope that they – and LOCAL BUSINESS others – will support similar activities in the future. 330 Our Apprenticeship Hub has successfully GUESTS OF GRADUATES created meaningful and engaging work opportunities for young people 350 in Leicester – long may it continue. TARGET FOR GRADUATES Sir Peter Soulsby AT EVENT 2016 City Mayor, Leicester City Council

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GRADUATION CEREMONY 2015 EVENT REPORT The ceremony

Using the success of this event as a platform, we want to make this an annual occasion that apprentices aspire to attend and that local business wants to be associated with. There is already a great deal of appetite from local training providers to deliver these positive messages to the unengaged and the hub will continue to promote opportunities through apprenticeships Award winner Tamara Herbert for learners and businesses alike. Councillor Sue Waddington Assistant City Mayor Jobs and Skills, Leicester City Council

Megan Craven Left to right top: Mr David Snartt - Chairman Leicestershire County Council, Bernard Szczech, Geeta Pendse, Dominic Heale hairdressing graduate from Bottom: Chairman’s Lady - Mrs Joan Snartt, Sir Peter Soulsby, Colonel Murray Colville, Melody Hossaini DJ’s Groom Room

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The ceremony was hosted by BBC East Midlands presenters Dominic Heale and Geeta Pendse. Over 150 apprentices from across the city registered to attend the first apprenticeship graduation ceremony hosted by the Apprenticeship Hub at De Montfort Hall.

The event was a celebration of the achievements Her Majesty the Queen. There were awards with of apprentices in a wide variety of local businesses categories for Apprentice of the Year and others and industries and aimed to highlight higher for local business. apprenticeships can be at the same level of Finally, the audience was treated to a performance achievement as an undergraduate university degree. from Godspell by dramatic arts performers from The City Mayor was on hand to congratulate the Leicester College and then invited to enjoy a drink apprentices alongside Colonel Murray Colville, and to take a few more commemorative photos Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Leicestershire, representing in the De Montfort Hall bar and gardens.

Former star of BBC’s The Apprentice, Melody Hossaini also gave a motivational speech as did Bernard Szczech-Chief Executive of IBM Services Centre UK Limited.

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GRADUATION CEREMONY 2015 EVENT REPORT Our strategy We worked with the Leicester City Council communications team to maximise our impact for the event and received the services of a dedicated officer for the event and for subsequent apprenticeship hub projects and activities.

The comms and marketing strategy was as follows: • Setting up brand and identity for event • Contact with graduands, employers, as well as unengaged young people and businesses • Promoting the event • Engaging potential financial/in kind support for events and subsequent events • Evaluation/results

Event PR Our website for the event was regularly updated were shared on social media. and we produced a guide to the event for all We attracted some graduates that were not through graduands which worked as a source of information the training provider/charter group route and via and also a source of promotion. local businesses and also attracted a significant We produced short films with two young women number of councillors and local dignitaries who had signed up for the event and the photos and films not engaged with apprenticeships previously.

Upskill your business for success Join us for a Higher Apprenticeships event for city and county employers at De Montfort Hall INVITATION 18 June 2015 HOET We are 3AAA 4.00pm to 6.00pm delighted to invite you to For more information and to book: llep.org.uk/HAevent/ LOUGHBOROUGH IMPACT llep.org.uk Telephone: 0116 454 2917 The first Leicester COLLEGE Apprenticeship Hub BUSINESS GATEWAY Graduation Ceremony at STEPHENSON LEARN DIRECT COLLEGE De Montfort Hall www.llepbizgateway.co.uk 18 June 2015 LEICESTER SOUTH LEICESTERSHIRE COLLEGE COLLEGE 2.00pm to 6.00pm Looking to start or grow your business? Check out what support is available at: llepbizgateway.co.uk Follow us on Twitter: @LLEPBizGateway By invitation only Register at: llep.org.uk/HAevent

Dedicated Communications Officer For more information please visit: leicester.gov.uk/apprenticeshiphub Donna Marshall facebook.com/leicesterhub @leicester_hub

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Having awards also meant we Post event, we shared images and stories, could work closely with business particularly those from the graduates who were and help them to tell their story. encouraged to interact with information on the The subsequent exposure will be screens at the event and Leicester City Council’s persuasive in engaging businesses digital media supported the event. and sponsors for future events. We live tweeted pictures of the apprentices from There has also been an preparing for the ceremony, right through to the increase in enquiry forms submitted end of the awards. to the hub from local businesses. This became a wrap-up Storify piece and a Training providers were given graduation Facebook gallery at the end of the day. branding and guidelines on how to share. Our numbers of likes and followers have more than We also had their communications representatives doubled. We also received considerable exposure in for meetings and briefings to discuss promotion. from our award winners.

Leicester City Council support Leicester City Council’s digital media supported the event and live tweeted pictures of the apprentices preparing for the ceremony. The sentiment was overwhelmingly positive. As well as the usual spike we’d expect to see in the authority’s social activity, there was also a noticeable growth in likes on the Leicester Apprenticeship Hub Facebook page.

The headline stats for LCC Hub (377 Twitter) and Facebook (488 likes) (Twitter 13.7k) and Facebook (3,959 likes) Those for the hub feed from are as follows: 18 June to 25 June are: TWEETS13 25 TWEETS IMPRESSIONS18,673 13,200 IMPRESSIONS ENGAGEMENTS 528 110 ENGAGEMENTS

Leicester City Council’s event wrap-up on Storify - https://storify.com/Leicester_News/leicester- apprenticeship-hub-graduation received 89 views that month. The city council’s Facebook album had a reach of 1,401 and received 33 likes, comments and shares, while the pictures received a total of 735 views. It was the fifth best performing post of the month.

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GRADUATION CEREMONY 2015 EVENT REPORT Graduate feedback Employer feedback

“Me and my Dad. Very proud day, we are the only two to have a cap and gown in our family, his through Uni - I thought I would never get the opportunity. Such a fantastic day, and an absolute honour!” So proud! Hannah Cowley Intermediate apprentice (Learndirect)

“One of the proudest moments in my life. Well done to all. Thank you for making it possible for all of us” Kelly Louise Cavanagh Advanced apprentice (South Leicestershire College)

“We had a great day yesterday. Thanks for organising such a good event!” Jessica Turrill Advanced apprentice (Stephenson College)

“Had a brilliant day despite the look on my face.” Neal Lowe Advanced apprentice (Leicester College)

“Lovely day and felt very proud of my achievements as should all the graduates- well done to them.” Andrea Porter Advanced apprentice (Stephenson College)

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GRADUATION CEREMONY 2015 EVENT REPORT GRADUATION CEREMONY 2015 EVENT REPORT Employer feedback This was truly one of the best examples very real difference to the decision making I have seen of celebrating apprentices and conversations that many families have around apprenticeships. You must be very proud. their child’s life choices and psychologically It replicated a traditional ‘University’ this type of event lifts ‘the value’ of graduation and it was very clear that there apprentices and apprenticeships more into were many proud apprentices, mums, dads line with university graduates. and family members. This event has got to Chris Swaine be a national exemplar; a fantastic idea Learning & Development Manager (Academy) and is the type of event that can make a emh group

The event ran very smoothly and the girls were she would be looking to take another qualification made to feel very special. I look forward to seeing with you. Both ladies are now Ambassadors for the event become a permanent fixture in our Apprentices via HoET. corporate calendar. Bev, as a single mother with two children is already engaged in her next course Robin Haynes having realised great value from her customer Robin Haynes Assoc CIPD (PG Dip in HRM) service apprenticeship. Laura, said on the day that HR Performance Development Manager ECF if she wasn’t going off to have her second child, Invited by Heart of England Training

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GRADUATION CEREMONY 2015 EVENT REPORT Trainer and guest feedback

I’ve heard great things so just wanted to pass I wanted to say well done to you for the on my congratulations. Being there, it was clear event last week, you did an amazing job that it meant a lot not only to the apprentices organising it and the feedback has been lovely but also the parents!!! from my staff and the learners, unfortunately Grant Thompson our assessor couldn’t make the event this year Marketing Assistant North - 3AAA but I agree its really important that their It always gives me great pleasure in seeing assessors are there on the day to see them get people successfully completing their apprenticeship their awards etc. programme and hear all about what it means for We really want to see the events continue. them. The graduation ceremony is a great way to Jane Meadows mark the occasion and wish them well for the future. Business Development Manager Well done to everyone that graduated! Heart of England Training Paul Kilgour Group Director Apprenticeships & eAssessment learndirect Ltd

Just wanted to say a big thanks for leading the organisation of the Graduation Ceremony event yesterday which I thoroughly enjoyed. It was fantastic to see so many people celebrating apprenticeships and their individual achievements. The event was meticulously executed which was down to your excellent organisational skills – Everyone I spoke to was very impressed. You and the team should be proud of a very successful event that involved a huge amount of front of house and back office support – I would be grateful if you could pass my thanks to all those involved. Andrew L Smith Director of Planning, Transportation and Economic Development, Leicester City Council

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GRADUATION CEREMONY 2015 EVENT REPORT Trainer and guest feedback Speaker feedback Choosing a path that is right for you, away from Learn and earn whilst working - but after this the everyday mainstream, takes courage. graduation, I found new passion for it! Seeing the It was an honour to be invited to speak at the first impact on the graduates, and how it had provided a Leicestershire Hub Apprentice Graduation Event path to success for so many who the traditional 2015, sharing my experience and tips from an model had failed – but also those who simply found InspirEngage perspective. I discovered a newfound this to be the winning model and do not fancy the passion for apprenticeships, inspired by the debts of a degree at Uni. graduates I spoke to! I look forward to seeing their journeys develop. Melody Hossaini I’ve always liked the model of apprenticeships. Founder & CEO, InspirEngage International

Overall I thought the event was fantastic. It absolutely must happen again next year and beyond. From the feedback I got, the graduates and their families had a great day. The world is changing dramatically, and it is innovative companies like IBM who are driving this transformation by looking for creative young people to help solve some of their client’s toughest problems. IBM does this by offering training through an apprenticeship. Events like the graduation help raise parity of esteem with parents and employers and so if individuals are taking a gap year out before heading off to university or have decided that university isn’t for them, an apprenticeship will jump young people straight into the world of work and help them gain the experience, skills and contacts needed to start building a bright future. Bernard Szczech Chief Executive, IBM Services Centre UK Limited

The LLEP was delighted to support this fantastic future of our local employers and for the national and professional graduation ceremony, an economy, by the development of clear work-based inspirational event to applaud the success of our pathway for new recruits, from craft to technician local apprentices. to professional and managerial skills. The LLEP was also proud to lead on our ‘Upskill your business for success’ event. Advanced and Corin Crane higher apprenticeships are an ideal solution for the LLEP director

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GRADUATION CEREMONY 2015 EVENT REPORT GRADUATION CEREMONY 2015 EVENT REPORT Awards & sponsors Why we had sponsors… Aside from the financial contributions we received from training provider charter groups partners, we felt this event was a great opportunity for local business to show support for apprenticeships, with either financial or in-kind contributions. This enabled us to add value to the event for the graduates and to enhance their special day while taking the opportunity to promote apprenticeships in the community, particularly to those employers and potential graduates that are unaware of the potential apprenticeships can unlock. Sponsors will also be key to recreating this event at this level in future years.

Sponsor focus - LLEP The Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise The event included speeches from: Partnership (LLEP) leads on economic growth Cllr Sue Waddington across the city and county. It was a keen sponsor Assistant City Mayor for Jobs and Skills of the Leicester Apprenticeship Hub Graduation Ceremony, recognising the importance of Marion Plant OBE celebrating the achievements of local apprentices, Principal and CEO of South Leicestershire College and the need to raise the parity of apprenticeships. & North Warwickshire and Hinckley College and LLEP People (skills) lead, highlighting the business benefits of apprenticeships Helen Beardmore Head of Education, the Peter Jones Academy, talking about her experience of setting up a higher apprenticeship in business innovation In the LLEP area, as nationally, there is an identified and growth higher level skills gap. To complement the graduation event, the LLEP coordinated ‘Upskill your Business Melody Hossaini InspirEngage International Founder and CEO for Success’ - a higher apprenticeships event for local businesses; to raise awareness of advanced and Patrycja Jedraszczyk higher apprenticeship routes and progression. an apprentice from the Leicestershire Partnership Trust Scott Bailye an award winning local SME, champion for apprenticeships “It was superb to see so many businesses and partners engaged in learning more about higher apprenticeships at our innovative event. I would urge businesses to consider advanced 70 guests enjoyed a canapé and drinks reception at and higher apprenticeships as an excellent which businesses had the opportunity to network solution to support their skills needs.’’ with other guests and apprenticeship leads, before hearing a series of inspiring speeches. Corin Crane LLEP Director.

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GRADUATION CEREMONY 2015 EVENT REPORT GRADUATION CEREMONY 2015 EVENT REPORT Awards We also worked with sponsors to deliver a range of awards. These add to the significance of the achievements of the individuals and businesses nominated, but also receive considerable press coverage and are a positive association for the sponsor.

Award winners INTERNATIONAL EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR Nylacast UK EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR East Midlands Housing SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL AWARD Tamara Herbert Women in Construction APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR Kaifer Williams Special mentions: Tracy Brito, Mitchel Matthews APPRENTICESHIP AMBASSADOR OF THE YEAR Sandra Potts DJs Groom Room/Sandra May Studio

Categories The categories were chosen to reflect the achievements of those in the room. This is an area we are hoping to expand upon at the next event. We have already had requests to highlight small employers, for instance. We will continue to add to this segment with film, images, and case studies.

Tamara Herbert

East Midlands Housing

“I heartily congratulate those who are courageous enough to choose their path, like Kaifer Williams the graduates did yesterday. I was honoured to present ‘The Apprentice of The Year’ to Kaifer Williams from South Leicestershire College!” Melody Hossaini

Nylacast Sandra Potts

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GRADUATION CEREMONY 2015 EVENT REPORT Case studies We caught up with some of our award nominees and their colleagues to see what apprenticeships and the graduation meant to them…

you are developing the apprentices to do the work you want them to do, and it also bridges the skills gap there is at the moment. Its tailor-making a person exactly for the job and giving the skill set that the employer wants, so they are perfect for the positions that become available.” As an employer, when a new person joins the team and carries out tasks for the first time there is always a risk attached. Linton says “I think that’s why the interview and selection process is so crucial. You have to have that confidence in the person you’re getting in, and with Kaifer he’s one of these people that are self-motivated Kaifer Williams and Linton Melbourne and he’s ready for results. At times when he’s asking for Linton Melbourne - engineering specialist for the something and I’ve been busy and I can’t do anything, SRDC in Leicester has been at Pepsico just over 12 he’ll come back. He’s persistent which isn’t a bad thing, and a half years. Kaifer was the first apprentice he it’s a really good thing and you see the results he gets.” was personally involved with recruiting into Kaifer adds “There is a lot more to learn than the business. I thought. It never really comes to an end. There’s He thinks apprenticeships are a good idea for always something else, something new, it’s definitely a businesses because they get young people involved lifelong learning curve. There is always something you in the workplace from an early age, and give people can go and study. I really hope to move forward and a direct route into the industry. continue studying further professional qualifications and Linton explains “You get the right skills because hopefully an HND.”

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DJ’s Groom Room and Sandra May’s Hair Studio Ltd Sandra Potts has 33 years’ experience in the hairdressing trade, and has spent the last 15 years as an assessor at Leicester College. Sandra thinks she may have trained over 4,500 students. She recently decided to get back to the shop floor and open her own business in partnership with her son, together they offer traditional barbering along with sophisticated styling. A former apprentice, Sandra is used to the negative perceptions about hairdressing. She has not only built her technical skills and managed a range of hairdressing businesses but has also achieved a wide range of academic qualifications, including a degree in Salon Management at the University of Derby. She feels all hairdressers should go for a breadth of academic and vocational qualifications and should take every opportunity offered. Sandra’s latest apprentice, Megan, started her hairdressing journey from the age of 10 when she helped her aunty in a barber’s shop during the school holidays. At the age of 16 she started her own hairdressing apprenticeship and now aged 20 is fully skilled to undertake all aspects of styling. Sandra believes in challenging her apprentices, so in 2013 Megan was entered into the World Skills Competitions to take her experience to another level. Megan was also one of only 12 stylists chosen to work on the hair of finalists in the Miss GB competition. Her ambition is to carry on entering competitions and travel the world, which is something that hairdressing can offer. Sandra has recently started to deliver her own apprenticeships through the salon.

This great working partnership has seen Mitchel benefitting from Steve’s many years of experience in the building trade. By being employed Mitchell is able to put his college skills into action in a real life work environment. Steve knows his reputation is vital to ensuring continued business but he feels more than happy to leave Mitchel alone on site, confident in the knowledge that the work will be done and the customers will be satisfied. Mitchel was really excited to be invited along to attend the apprenticeship graduation; he was also nervous and felt so out of his comfort zone that when he heard his name called to come onto the stage his legs turned to jelly. Steve was really proud to be there to support Mitchel, and felt it also raised the profile for his business. Mitchel Matthews and Steve Green Mitchel plans to start his level 3 advanced Mitchel was attending college on a full time course apprenticeship at Leicester College shortly. Steve is a when Steve (a lecturer at the time) spotted his firm believer in continued professional development potential. Mitchel actually contacted Steve and asked and he knows this will help not only Mitchel but also if he could work for him. his business plans in the future.

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Gail says that she is a real role model and that the college appreciates Amy’s hard work and how happy she is to be giving something back for her training. The epitome of dedication, Amy used to do her cleaning job from 6.00am to 8.15am then change and come back for her teaching and training role because she valued the work experience so highly. The placement then became an apprenticeship. Currently looking at new funding opportunities to complete her level 3 qualification, Amy wants to become a higher level teaching assistant. Gail is looking Amy Pepper and Gail Thornber into routes for Amy to become a teacher and for ways to Hamilton College support this. Amy used to be a student at Hamilton College, before Amy’s mum Sue says “Amy has a lovely getting a job there as a cleaner, but now through sheer relationship with the kids and this goes both ways. determination Amy is proud to be one of the teaching The whole school got involved in celebrating her 30th staff as an apprentice teaching and learning classroom birthday, and as we have gone round today with Amy assistant. She is not short of family support with her wearing her graduation gown, they have been cheering mum Sue and her brother working on the cleaning and shouting encouragement.” She continues “Amy team. They encouraged her to get involved in an was really touched by the gown and to be invited to the apprenticeship and introduced her to mentor Gail graduation to mark her special achievements. Thornber who had no hesitation in recommending I can’t wait! I’ll be the proudest mum there. Amy for training. I’m off to get my outfit!”

placements were useful for gaining experience, the team had to start training from scratch with each individual. Having Tracy permanently meant they could encourage her with bigger tasks and give her more responsibility to gain greater understanding. Tracy has now progressed onto further AAT accountancy qualifications at level 3. Karen says “We now prefer apprentices as you get somebody in to nurture and learn but we also get something back and they ‘muck in’, enjoy it and take this wonderful opportunity to gain work experience. A mentor who was working with children within the Tracy Brito and Karen Issitt church was very enthusiastic and she really motivated Tracy says her level 2 apprenticeship has been a real us to want to employ a young person, and from that boost for her career, skills and confidence. She has we’ve got a really good employee. learned to work with managers and other colleagues, to To other employers Karen said “If you are sceptical understand the environment and importantly, how to – don’t be, and go ahead. It has worked well for us. work with others. Once the decision has been made by both parties you Tracy joined the St Martins Diocese on a four know the commitment is there, no-one is forced into it, month rotation scheme which offers work experience so it is going to work well. It’s also beneficial across all of the departments. This helped her to focus on financially, with support for wages to the organisation the career she wanted. With lots of practical and no cost to the individual for the training.” applications Tracy realised that she was interested in “The future is looking bright. We are looking at numbers and finance. ways to keep Tracy with us and to support her in her Karen explained that although four monthly chosen career.”

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GRADUATION CEREMONY 2015 EVENT REPORT GRADUATION CEREMONY 2015 EVENT REPORT Feedback stats We felt it was important to get feedback from our graduates and their guests so we could tweak things for the next event and look at introducing new ideas and features for the next year. We sent out a short electronic survey and left this up for two weeks with all graduates invited to participate and to encourage their guests to do so also. The response we very positive and very useful in our planning.

Graph showing how we contacted our graduates and their guests. This shows our strong links with colleges and training providers and the importance of the hub database of contacts that we use for events and to monitor the progress of apprentices in Leicestershire. HOW MESSAGES Number of REACHED OUR Method of contact graduates/families GRADUATES email from training provider 10 & GUESTS employer 6 local college/school/training provider 4 local paper 1 social media 1 contacted by the apprenticeship hub 20 Apprenticeship Hub contact graph other 2

Understood the value of the event to apprenticeship graduates and 93% why they had been invited 86% found our speakers and presenters inspiring and motivational felt the films and presentations were of a very high quality. You can see 94% the overall hub graduation film online at http://bit.ly/hubgraduation were interested in becoming ambassadors for apprenticeships in Leicestershire and in spreading the message about the graduation event by 44% encouraging other apprentices to graduate. We will be making contact with these graduates and asking them to take part in case studies as well as to attend regular events in schools and with training providers.

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GRADUATION CEREMONY 2015 EVENT REPORT Date for your diary

2 016

16 JUNE 2016 DE MONTFORT HALL

If you are interested in finding out more about the event for your apprentices that may be eligible to graduate or would like to be involved as an event sponsor, please contact: Tracey Waterfield Apprenticeship Hub manager 0116 454 2945 [email protected] Read more about the graduation and watch our film of the event at leicester.gov.uk/apprenticeshiphub

visit leicester.gov.uk/apprenticeshiphub or email [email protected]

18 Leicester Apprenticeship Hub building a brighter future Now in its second year Leicester • information and advice for young people and employers Apprenticeship Hub has helped hundreds • links to training providers local apprenticeship events find a local opportunity. With over 500 • • funding for employers with Leicester Apprenticeship Grant followers on Facebook - check out our • graduation ceremony for Leicestershire apprentices daily updates on events and vacancies. • impartial advice for employers

visit leicester.gov.uk/apprenticeshiphub or email [email protected]

18 email [email protected] Tel 0116 454 2952 leicester.gov.uk/apprenticeshiphub facebook.com/leicesterhub @leicester_hub