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In October 2023, I commenced my position at Be.Xcellence, where my role was supported by the Unite 4 Youth apprenticeship programme. As a media coordinator, I've had the opportunity to gain valuable experience in the media field, along with acquiring new skills and knowledge. I built my social network by attending the 45th anniversary of Princes Trust. I also reached out to managers and founders of various businesses for an interview on The B.O.M.B at Radio Cardiff. Amidst all this, I've seen a significant boost in my confidence, self-esteem, and self-actualisation, fostering an open mind toward learning more about my career choices. The knowledge and life experiences I've gained underscore the importance of the apprenticeship programme. It's like being paid to go to school, an invaluable gateway for skill enhancement, facing challenges, pursuing career changes, and advancing education.
Learning about the Welsh Government's plan to cut its apprenticeship program by 24.5% in 2024 was deeply disheartening. The proposed cuts may result in approximately 10,000 fewer apprenticeship starts on the Welsh Government's apprenticeship programme in 2024/25. This decision will tremendously affect young people (16-24) and enormously those in socio-economic groups and communities. The impact of these proposed cuts may result in a significant reduction in the number of Black, Asian and Ethnic Minorities apprenticeship learners. As Donna Ali said, “it is crucial that we invest in apprenticeships. It is a game changer and a wealth of valuable insights and contributions from young people and cultural perspectives”.
Reducing the apprenticeship budget can discourage young people from contributing their understandings on how they see and fit into the world, as well as educating others about their cultural backgrounds. As a black person with an African background and aspirations to start my own business, the Welsh Government's decision on the apprenticeship programme is truly concerning. We are not only being cut off from learning new skills and opportunities, but also from the chance to secure investment for our businesses/business ideas.
During a meeting at the Senedd about the cut of the apprenticeship programme, Huw Irranca-Davies, Welsh labour and co-operative politician and a member of the Senedd, highlighted that apprenticeships are very much the way into skilled, well-paid and lifelong occupation.
There are many benefits to completing an apprenticeship, which include:
Experience and skills development
A nationally recognised qualification
A wage whilst working and studying
Opportunities to gain the relevant skills and experience to take on an apprenticeship and prepare for work
The apprenticeship programme offers a range of apprenticeships in various sectors and industries, including foundation and standard apprenticeships, which provide on-the-job training and an industry-recognised qualification. If the government stands by their decision in cutting funds for the apprenticeship programmes, 65% of youths that have decided to take the vocational route, stand the chance to lose apprenticeship levels that equate to different qualifications levels.
Apprenticeship Level | Equivalent Educational Level |
Foundation Apprenticeship - Level 2 | 5 GCSEs / NVQ Level 2 |
Apprenticeship - Level 3 | 2 A Levels / NVQ Level 3 |
Higher Apprenticeship - Level 4/5 | HNC / HND / Foundation Degree |
Degree Apprenticeship - Level 6 | Bachelor's Degree |
I agree with Donna Ali when she said, “succession planning becomes our way of passing the baton of knowledge, innovation and social impact to the future generation”. Losing the Welsh flagship apprenticeship programme means losing crucial survival skills in this challenging economy. It means losing a defined way of gaining work-life experience, fostering creativity, and having a clear path to our future.
If we lose the Welsh flagship apprenticeship programme, we lose survival skills in this hard economy. We lose a defined way of gaining work life experience, creativity and a clear path to our future.
EMPLOYERS WHO OFFER APPRENTICESHIPS
TRAINING PROVIDERS WHO OFFER APPRENTICESHIPS
· ACT
· C+V/QSA Consortium
· Cambrian Training
· Coleg Cambria
· Educ8
· Grwp Llandrillo Menai
· Itec Skills & Employment
· Skills Academy Wales
COLLEGES
Some colleges may also offer apprenticeship opportunities
· Bridgend College
· Cardiff and Vale College
· Coleg Cambria
· Coleg Sir Gâr
· Coleg y Cymoedd
· Pembrokeshire College
· Gower College Swansea
· NPTC Group of Colleges
· The College Merthyr Tydfil
If you are interested in finding an apprenticeship in Wales or other countries, check out the following websites:
Apprenticeships | Sub-topic | GOV.WALES can help you know how to become an apprentice, how to recruit an apprentice, how to find an apprenticeship program and many more
Apprenticeships | Careers Wales (gov.wales) can help answer some questions like, What is apprenticeship? What are the apprenticeship levels? Where would I train? What types of apprenticeships are advertised? What are the entry requirements for an apprenticeship? What will I get paid? Where can I find apprenticeships?
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