Learning Curve: Showcasing Skills for Life Through Celebrating All Things Apprenticeships

Written by

Learning Curve’s Group Communications Executive, Erin Johnson-Caddell:

We’re sure you know by now that it’s National Apprenticeship Week. And you must have some interest in apprenticeships because you’re here, reading this blog about how great we think they are!

We really do believe apprenticeships are invaluable in upskilling current and future workforces and creating talent pipelines that will benefit both individuals and businesses. Gone are the days when apprenticeships were just for young people trying to get a trade career started. They can be amazingly beneficial in subjects like management where managers can put learnings straight into action and use live briefs from their day-to-day as part of their portfolios.

As with most things, though, it’s not all rainbows and sunshine… The last 12 months has seen a fall in the number of apprentices on programme across most, if not all, apprenticeship providers, with enrolments being down 6.2% compared to the same period last year. We have found the ending of Government incentive schemes has played some part in this. One of our partners based in County Durham has felt the pressure of this first-hand. With 30% of their office made up of apprentices, the £3,000 Government incentive went a long way to ensuring they could continue to operate while providing a brilliant learning experience for their apprentices. The removal of the incentive has made them make big decisions on their ability to continue to use apprenticeships as a sustainable workforce development model, but we are optimistic about the coming spring budget announcement and have our fingers crossed for more support for businesses and apprentices.

The current cost of living crisis also has something to say for itself. As costs go up and bottom lines gets closer, businesses can struggle to pay salary overheads, despite the reduced minimum wage band for apprentices. And speaking of the cost-of-living crisis and the minimum wage for apprenticeships, we’ve also seen a reduction in candidates for the apprenticeship opportunities we’re helping our partners to recruit for.

Despite all of this, we’re dedicated to providing individuals and businesses with high quality apprenticeship training. We pride ourselves on collaboration and innovation so we can meet the needs of both employers and learners for a successful career in the modern-day workplace.

The theme for NAW 2023, is ‘Skills for Life’ – and that’s exactly what we do at LCG!

To celebrate NAW, we have lots exciting activities planned to showcase the incredible impacts that apprenticeships have on individuals, businesses and society. We are celebrating the partnerships with our employers through award ceremonies where our exceptional employers will be celebrated for transforming lives, and their businesses, with us. LCG also look forward to our Purple People Academy celebration, where internal apprentices will be invited for a special afternoon lunch with CEO, Brenda McLeish OBE DL.

We are reaching out to current and former apprenticeships, one of whom is LCG’s Youth Ambassador, to build a profile of case-studies to further solidify and shout out about the fantastic power apprenticeships have in transforming lives. Watch John-Joe’s story here to see how his apprenticeship transformed his life. We are also excited to launch our social media campaign for NAW where we will be platforming quotes directly from employers and clients like Cooplands Bakery, and Anchor, to showcase how apprenticeships have positively impacted businesses and to demonstrate the value they can add to an organisation.

Our most exciting celebration concludes the week where MP Dehenna Davison will be coming to our LCG Head Office. This will provide opportunities for our Director of Apprenticeships, Nicole Bewley, alongside our internal apprentices and three local employers to ask Dehenna questions surrounding apprentices and display the quality impact that undertaking apprenticeships, or employing apprentices has had on their progression. This will be followed by an informal gathering and lunch where Dehenna can gain an insight into the workings of apprenticeships, and the types of people who can benefit most from them!

If this blog has piqued your interest in finding out more, get in touch via email on [email protected] or ask your Chamber engagement manager for an intro.

Training provider unveils plans to stay on upward curve

Written by

A County Durham-headquartered training provider has revealed plans to create almost 1000 jobs in a UK-wide expansion.

Learning Curve Group wants to increase its headcount to more than 1500 by 2025. The operator, based on the outskirts of Spennymoor, also plans to open a new skills hub every year following the recent unveiling of a Business Academy in Darlington, which it says will support the Treasury’s ongoing move to the town.


Brenda McLeish, chief executive, said: “We wouldn’t be the successful business we are without the dedicated staff that work hard, day-in-day-out, to transform lives.”

To support its growth plans, the organisation last month announced the acquisition of Cardiff-based Motivational Preparation College for Training, which bosses say will complement its existing academy provision.

North East Businesses hear Archbishop praise for community spirit

Written by

Over 160 North East business leaders heard the Archbishop of York, the Most Rev & Rt Hon Stephen Cottrell at Ramside Hall, Durham give a keynote speech about emerging from the pandemic needing the same skills following World War II.

At the Chamber President’s lunch which was also attended by the Bishops of Durham and Newcastle, the Archbishop said: “We need to do the same expansive dreaming about what our economy and society can be like after Covid. Our sense of community and the spirit we had seen during the darkest days of the pandemic is perfect evidence of our need for affirmation and hopefulness. If the pandemic has taught us anything, it is how much we depended on the labour of others who we have often taken for granted.”

In his speech he also spoke of his fondness for the North East having been a regular visitor for over 30 years. He also commented on the tremendous economic and social change he had witnessed in the region during that time.

The Archbishop reflected on the challenges that lie ahead for the region’s business community, most importantly that of climate change.

He said: “The lessons of the pandemic can be put to use here, we must confront the environmental emergency by working together, sharing good ideas and practice.”

Lesley Moody, Chamber President, AES Digital Solutions, paid tribute to James Ramsbotham as it was his last Chamber event as chief executive and welcomed everyone to the first President’s lunch in person rather via the internet. She also congratulated those companies who had been shortlisted for Chamber awards in 2020 and presented them with recognition of their achievements, as the competition was cancelled due to Covid.

The President’s Club is in association with Learning Curve and the lunch event was sponsored by Tribe 365.

Photo caption Left to right, John McCabe, Chamber chief executive, Lesley Moody, Chamber President, James Ramsbotham, outgoing Chamber chief executive, Archbishop of York, the Most Rev & Rt Hon Stephen Cottrell and Oliver Randall, director, Tribe 365