During National Apprenticeship Week, the South East Apprenticeship Ambassador Network (SEAAN) was delighted to welcome Anthony Impey, National Chair of the Apprenticeship Ambassador Network and CEO of Be the Business, to meet Small and Medium Size Enterprises (SEMs) interested in developing apprentices.
Across two very different but equally inspiring events – at MCFT Technical Academy in Reading and Shadowbox Studios in Shinfield – the message was clear: when employers shape training around real business need, apprenticeships deliver impact.
MCFT Technical Academy – Employer provider journeys in action
The first event took place at MCFT Technical Academy in Reading and brought together SEAAN representatives Elizabeth Flegg, Phil Golding and Ellie Chapman, alongside Anthony Impey and colleagues from Be the Business, as well as representatives from MCFT, Darke & Taylor, Niftylift, Grandir UK and LJ Construction.
The event included a tour; presentation and a roundtable discussion focused on the journey to becoming an employer provider.
Employers spoke candidly about:
- Why they chose to become employer providers
- The practical challenges – advisory support, safeguarding, Ofsted requirements, viability, staffing and facilities
- Administrative and reporting requirements
- Capital investment needed for high-quality training environments
- Retention and long-term talent pipeline benefits
For many, becoming an employer provider offers greater control, ensuring training is tailored to their systems, culture and future skills needs.
There was discussion about government priorities and the importance of balancing qualification achievement with real job opportunities, alongside stronger support for employers to recruit and grow their own workforce.
Hearing directly from employers who had navigated the journey gave SMEs practical insight into what it really takes to build and grow high-quality apprenticeship programmes.
Photos from the MCFT Academy
Shadowbox Studios, Shinfield – Creative supply chain apprenticeships
The second event took place at Shadowbox Studios in Shinfield and focused on apprenticeships across the creative supply chain.
Facilitated by Dominique Unsworth (Resource Productions CIC), the roundtable welcomed visitors from Matinee Multilingual, Constructive Creative, Location One, Amazon, Berkshire Local Skills Improvement Plan and Screen Berkshire.
The roundtable discussions focused on:
- How SMEs are successfully running apprenticeship programs in the creative sector
- Barriers young people face in the transition into sustainable employment
- Funding pressures and compliance concerns for small businesses
- Administrative burden and paperwork
- Flexibility required where workflow fluctuates
Options such as levy transfer and flexi-job apprenticeship agencies were discussed, including models that allow apprentices to move between employers when workflow varies.
Attendees were then given a behind the curtain tour of the studios!
Next steps
Across both events, the overarching message was clear: employer engagement is critical. When businesses are supported to shape and deliver apprenticeships that meet their needs, the return on investment is clear – commercially and socially.
SEAAN extends its thanks to Anthony Impey and colleagues for visiting the region, and to all employers and ambassadors who contributed to two insightful and energising events.
Our aim is to now:
- Create a group that allows businesses considering becoming employer-providers, to speak with others that have gone through this journey to help them plan their approach. This will be part of a guide to supporting SMEs to become employer providers.
- Follow up with creative companies in the South East to understand further support needed and provide buddying opportunities to faciliate apprenticeships happening more regularly in this sector.
We look forward to continuing to champion employer-led apprenticeships across the South East.