University helps to celebrate ten years of the Ladder Foundation | News

March 2024

University College Birmingham helps to celebrate ten years of the Ladder Foundation

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Celebrating a decade of championing the apprenticeship pathway, the Ladder Foundation welcomed esteemed guests and partners to an event on 5^th March 2024 at the Houses of Parliament sponsored by University College Birmingham.

A passionate advocate for apprenticeships with over 700 apprentices, University College Birmingham works with employers on a range of different apprenticeship pathways, and the support for the Ladder Foundation and Ladder for Greater Birmingham stems from the institution’s long-term commitment to apprenticeships.

The event was a celebration of the foundation’s success over the last ten years, with awards given to particularly inspiring individuals in the apprenticeship arena.

Guests at the event included the Rt Hon Robert Halfon MP, who was introduced to one of University College Birmingham’s apprentices, Cian Evans who was a National runner-up. Nominated by his employer, Compass Group, Cian works at Villa Park and started on a Level 2 Commis Chef apprenticeship which he passed with a distinction. He’s now on a Chef De Partie level 3 which is due to complete in March 2025.

"Our unique position as an HE institution that also offers level 2 to 6 apprenticeships, and with the advent of our Sixth Form Centre this autumn offering A Levels, means we’re able to offer multiple pathways to success for our students, with the reassurance for employers we work with that we offer a robust partnership no matter their apprenticeship needs."

José Lopes Pro-Vice Chancellor (External Affairs)

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.

Want to work with University College Birmingham? Find out more on our Business page.

Or learn about apprenticeships with University College Birmingham.