With over 600 different apprenticeships on offer now in every sector and job role you can imagine, people of all ages and abilities are using the hands-on, earn-while-you-learn method of apprenticeships to boost their careers.
is an awarding and end point assessment organisation, based at Fort Dunlop in Birmingham, that works mainly in the business, childcare and social care sectors - and it is a huge advocate of the opportunities that apprenticeships provide.
More than 450,000 people have achieved a Skillsfirst qualification since it launched in 2010.
The are now open for nominations, and this year will be sponsoring the Greater Birmingham Apprentice of the Year category.
Skillsfirst designs and develops qualifications and assessments which inspire people to fulfil their personal goals and drive their careers forward.
Skillsfirst sales and marketing director Fraser Ingham is passionate about this opportunity to celebrate the best of the best apprentices in our region.
He expects the successful nominees to be dedicated, have a positive attitude and clear determination to be the very best.
He said: "Apprenticeships are a way to hit the ground running in your chosen career.
Most Read
"More and more people are choosing apprenticeships instead of university because apprentices have the opportunity to earn while they learn, gaining valuable workplace experience and skills without incurring the same level of debt. Many employers also see great advantages in the value apprentices can add to their business.
"A lot of people also don't realise apprenticeships are not just for young people either. Many apprenticeships are taken by people already in jobs who are looking to progress in their organisation and career."
Fraser also explained how apprenticeships can be a "vehicle to progression" within the workplace, at any stage of your career.
"Apprenticeships are a fantastic introduction to a whole host of careers. There are more than 600 different apprenticeships now, designed by employers to ensure apprentices are gaining the skills and knowledge they need to excel in their chosen profession."
Skillsfirst is a regulated awarding organisation and approved End-point assessment organisation in Birmingham.
Fraser further explained that as a national awarding and assessment organisation, based at Fort Dunlop in the city, apprenticeships are very important to the company.
"Apprenticeships are at the heart of what we do, especially in those sectors where we have the greatest expertise, which includes Early Years, leadership and management, health and social care, customer service and business administration."
Don’t miss
Skillsfirst is sponsoring the Greater Birmingham Apprentice of the Year Award
The much-anticipated Greater Birmingham Apprenticeship Awards 2021 are back for another year. The annual ceremony will create huge fanfare to celebrate the best and brightest learners, recruiters and trainers who have been working with their teams to drive company success across the city and wider region.
Nominations for the awards are now open and close on Friday, September 17, 2021. After judging takes place, the glittering award ceremony will be held on Thursday, November 11, 2021. For more details and to nominate, see the
Skillsfirst is a regulated and award-winning organisation focused on high-quality solutions for learning and apprenticeships.
This year the institution is sponsoring the Greater Birmingham Apprentice of the Year Award and believes strongly in applauding apprentices for their hard work.
The award is to congratulate an apprentice who has gone above and beyond to showcase their talent in the workplace and help their employer succeed. The winner of this category will be selected from the winner of each of the Apprentice of the Year sector categories.
Skillsfirst sales and marketing director Fraser Ingham says: "Based in Birmingham, we have a lot of customers in the city and a lot of learners achieving our qualifications so this is a real opportunity for us to support a local initiative.
"These awards being local to us is really important - it means we can support people in our area. Birmingham is important to us and so are its people."
The Greater Birmingham Apprenticeship Awards 2021 categories are:
The , run by BirminghamLive, will celebrate individual excellence in six different business sectors alongside recognition for companies of all sizes and training providers.
- Apprentice of the Year - Health, Education & Care, sponsored by
- Apprentice of the Year - Construction and Property Industries
- Apprentice of the Year - Engineering and Manufacturing
- Apprentice of the Year - Professional Services
- Apprentice of the Year - Tech, Digital and Creative Industries, sponsored by
- Apprentice of the Year - Travel, Tourism and Hospitality
- Greater Birmingham Apprentice of the Year, sponsored by (chosen from the six category winners above)
- Small Employer of the Year (1-50 staff), sponsored by
- Medium Employer of the Year (51-249 staff)
- Large Employer of the Year (250+ staff), sponsored by
- Training Provider of the Year, sponsored by
- Education Engagement Award
is the brochure sponsor.