London council introduces new apprenticeship network as part of National Apprentice Week celebrations

3 February 2020

Businesses interested in taking on apprentices will be able to get advice and support from their peers as part of Southwark’s Council’s new Apprenticeships Standard Network.

This week (Monday 3 February to Sunday 9 February) is National Apprenticeship Week and the council is encouraging local businesses to ‘Get Fired Up’ about taking on apprentices - in line with this year’s national theme.

Following extensive consultation with locally-based businesses, the network is designed to drive up the quality of delivery by sharing good practice, increasing numbers of apprenticeships available in line with the council’s ambitious targets, and enable more meaningful conversations with employers and apprentices.

Cllr Stephanie Cryan, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Business and Innovation, said: “As part of our ambitions to be a full employment borough, Southwark is leading the way for high quality apprenticeships that work for the employer and employee. Our years of experience offering apprenticeships at the council has shown us the things an apprentice needs to succeed. A good wage, a living wage, is important, but so too is an investment in the person, so that they can blossom and grow from day one.

“Southwark doesn’t want to just create apprenticeships, we want to change lives, and that’s why we’re so grateful to the businesses that have previously signed up to the Standard and are working with us to take forward this new network. I would urge anyone who thinks they could offer this opportunity to someone in Southwark to come and talk to us.”

Southwark achieved unrivalled success in supporting the delivery of 2,000 apprenticeships by working with local businesses and contractors. During 2018-19, an impressive 85 per cent of London apprenticeships created through the supply chain and partnership working were delivered in Southwark. Southwark’s partnership with London South Bank University has also led to the opening of a new High Level Technical and Professional Apprenticeship Centre. It is expected to deliver more than 200 apprenticeships each year.

The new network will be launched at a Celebrating Apprenticeships event on Wednesday 5 February as part the National Apprenticeship Week celebrations. The event is being held jointly with the London South Bank University.

To find out more about creating an apprenticeship, or becoming an apprentice in Southwark, visit the council’s website at www.southwark.gov.uk/apprenticeships

Page last updated: 03 February 2020