Apprenticeships offer skills-focussed opportunities to develop individuals within a workplace setting, in line with the ambitions of the business and learner. Because of their structure, apprenticeships go far in supporting social mobility; everyone regardless of their background can begin an apprenticeship pathway that will support their career aspirations.

This focus on social mobility is a shared vision both at the Ladder Foundation and University College Birmingham. The Ladder for Greater Birmingham has now been operating for 5 years, offering regional support for apprenticeships with the goal of creating 1000 new apprenticeships across the region. The Ladder has brought together businesses and providers, enabling the best opportunities for apprentices, across a wide range of industries and sectors. 

Kevin Davis, chairman of the Ladder Foundation, said: “We are grateful to everyone who attended an event which marks the efforts of hundreds of people to work together to change 10,000 lives for the better. We will build on the progress we have made to date to ensure apprenticeships stay front of mind to secure future work opportunities.”

Ladder founder Rob Colbourne said: “Apprenticeships offer a valuable path for employment and skills enhancement so all those who have supported the Ladder to date should be proud of the contribution they have made as we prepare to shape the next phase.”

The Ladder Foundation is now looking to the next ten years and imbedding apprenticeships further into the fabric of the labour market and celebrating the progress of the Foundation so far.

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Or learn about apprenticeships with University College Birmingham.