LONDON – Nov. 7, 2024 – Careers platform Apprentice Nation is proud to announce the launch of ‘Work Ready’, a career development programme assured by City & Guilds, a global skills partner with 3.5 million learners worldwide. Aimed at young people aged 16-24, participants will earn virtual badges at each stage of the programme and receive a nationally recognised, accredited certificate upon completion, showcasing their skills and commitment to prospective employers.
Apprentice Nation brings a fresh perspective to skills development by harnessing the power of music to engage and inspire young people. The programme features top UK music artists alongside industry experts, all contributing their authentic voices to the content. Through their stories, advice, and tips, they show that there are many pathways to success, regardless of the challenges a young person may face.
Featured artists include singer-songwriter RAYE, grime duo Krept & Konan, and rapper Ghetts, who share their personal career journeys to inspire the next generation. In addition, industry experts from leading companies such as EE, Amazon, and Google provide invaluable advice on navigating the working world.
To earn their certificate, participants must complete ten prescribed video training sessions including ‘Making Digital Skills Pop on Your CV’ and ‘Why is Learnability a Core Skills for Life?’, alongside five videos of their own choice. Topics covered include the development of essential soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving, as well as personal growth areas like resilience and creativity.
Mandy Smith, Executive Director of Customer Solutions, City & Guilds:
“We’re excited to partner with Apprentice Nation on their Work Ready programme. We have a shared commitment with Apprentice Nation to create access to learning and career opportunities for young people. To achieve these goals the quality of the training is paramount, which is why we are delighted to see this programme meet our Assured benchmark, which sets it apart from other skills development training.”
Stephen Greene CBE, CEO RockCorps & Producer Apprentice Nation:
“A great mark of evolution for Apprentice Nation to have such a trusted and globally recognised organisation as City & Guilds. Apprentice Nation is dedicated to empowering young people across the UK, especially those from historically underrepresented backgrounds, with the skills they need to succeed in the workplace. By meeting young people where they are—through music and culture—we can make a real impact. Upskilling this next generation helps them navigate challenging economic times while giving employers access to some of the best-prepared talent.”
Previous Apprentice Nation events, have reached thousands of young people across the UK, helping them build essential work and life skills. With a community of over 26,000 and produced by RockCorps and Multiverse, Apprentice Nation aims to spotlight alternative career pathways, such as apprenticeships, that young people may not have considered. According to a recent survey, 85% of participants have gained at least one new work-ready skill, while 75% reported increased confidence in their future.
ABOUT APPRENTICE NATION:
Apprentice Nation is produced by RockCorps and Multiverse, supported by BT and Amazon, working to get more traditionally underrepresented youth into apprenticeships and other accessible career routes. They provide early-career support; mixing learning with entertainment and motivating young people to get career-ready through free concerts, skills development events, mentoring and an on-demand training videos. Celebrating a wide range of career paths, the programme attracts a diverse mix of young people who are often underrepresented in more traditional careers support formats. In addition to gaining fundamental skills for the future, participants earn rewards for taking part in gamified learning opportunities. Latest stats on Apprentice Nation membership:
32% told us they have received free school meals vs. 17% national average
17% are from a household with a parent or guardian with a university degree vs. 43% nationally
27% Black participants vs. 3.5% national average
21% Asian participants vs 7.5% national average
ABOUT CITY & GUILDS:
City & Guilds is the preferred brand and route for skills. We have been fulfilling our charitable purpose since 1878, by advancing skills for people, organisations, and societies.
