This year, the UK’s National Apprenticeship Week is centred around the theme ‘build the future’ and celebrates the role apprenticeships play in equipping the future workforce with the skills needed to thrive in their careers.
Recent data from the Department of Education shows that the number of people starting apprenticeships is recovering to pre-Covid levels. It is brilliant to see these figures on the rise, but it is still an ongoing problem that demand for skilled workers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) is outweighing the talent available. And that is why it is so important that businesses like ours look to apprenticeship programmes to support the creation of a talented, home-grown workforce. We need to inspire people to explore the opportunities available in sectors from construction through to tech, whether they’re just entering the world of work or about to embark on a second career.
This National Apprenticeship Week, BAI is launching its first apprenticeship programme in the UK with that exact ambition in mind. We want to pave the way for the next generation of STEM talent, and give back to the communities where we work, by offering mentoring and guidance alongside experience in a real-life work environment.
Hiring an apprentice is an incredibly effective way to develop a great talent pipeline for any organisation, tackling skills shortages while using training as a tool to recruit permanent team members down the line. It is also an excellent route into work that gives people an alternative to continuing education to build their skills. That is why over the course of the scheme, all our apprentices will achieve industry-recognised certifications, helping to boost their employability and kickstart their careers.
Critically, apprenticeship programmes provide paths into work for individuals from a more diverse range of backgrounds, enabling businesses to diversify their thinking. At BAI, we’re committed to being a responsible business creating better outcomes for our people, clients, suppliers, partners and society.
As a new business in the UK, at the beginning of its journey to invest in the UK’s future workforce, we are uniquely placed to build a team from the ground up that is more representative of the community we are here to serve.
It’s an exciting time here at BAI as we work to deliver high-speed mobile coverage across the London Underground network and prepare stations and tunnels for 5G ready connectivity. The Tube is one of the world’s largest underground networks and providing uninterrupted mobile connectivity will allow customers to check the latest travel information, keep on top of their emails, catch up on social media, live stream videos or make calls wherever they are on the Underground.
BAI is also building a new full-fibre network. This new backbone of connectivity will create a platform for innovation and allow London’s residents and businesses to harness smart city technology, helping to improve urban life and boost the economy. And what better way to learn than working on some of the biggest and most exciting projects in the country, whilst being able learn and earn on the job.
You can find out more about our apprenticeship programme hereYou can find out more about our apprenticeship programme here.
