Member Article

Mid Yorkshire Chamber commits to National Apprenticeship Week

The Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce has declared its commitment to National Apprenticeship Week.

The Mid Yorkshire Chamber supports local businesses throughout Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield and has a range of apprenticeship graduates working as successful staff members.

National Apprenticeship Week 2014 will take place from 3– 7 March 2014, now in its seventh successful year.

Maggie Oxley-Bryan, programme administrator for the Chambers subsidiary company The West Yorkshire Enterprise Agency, completed her level 3 in business administration in April 2013.

Maggie said of the experience “I feel that I now take a more positive approach to work and can take on extra responsibility with ease due to the skills I gained throughout my time as an apprentice.”

Hayley Nutt was made redundant in 2008 and found an opportunity through an apprenticeship scheme with the Chamber’s international trade support arm MY Export Hub.

Hayley said: “Fortunately being a mature student helped me in my apprenticeship, in terms of building relationships with the tutors, they were really supportive in fast tracking and supporting me.”

The Chamber’s youngest apprentice Sadie Barkworth began her apprenticeship after completing college; she has now completed her level 2 business administration NVQ.

She said of the experience “I have thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity at the Chamber through an apprenticeship and I am now in the process of beginning my level 3.”

“Being an apprentice has helped me gain a variety of new skills and has also given me the ability to exceed in the skills I have learnt.

“In addition, becoming an apprentice has boosted my confidence, I now feel I can make and carry out decisions by myself and feel confident that the decision I have made is correct and will impact the team and our work positively.”

National Apprenticeship Week was formed to raise the profile of apprenticeships and the Chamber is urging local employers, individuals, teachers, parents and the media to get involved and encourage people to consider an apprenticeship.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .