East Midlands Apprenticeship Training Provider, EMA Training is celebrating the 16^th annual week-long celebration of apprenticeships. National Apprenticeship Week 2023 is taking place 6^th – the 12^th of February. EMA Training will shine a light on the positive impact apprenticeships are having on individuals, businesses, and the local economy by sharing apprentice success stories across their social media channels, and free resource packs for schools.

This year’s theme is centred around ‘skills for life’ reflecting on how apprenticeships can help individuals to develop the skills and knowledge required for a rewarding career. And in addition to this, supporting businesses to develop a talented workforce that is equipped with future-ready skills.

EMA Training are working with local businesses, schools and partners in the region to create more apprenticeship opportunities and to break the stigma surrounding apprenticeships. EMA Training has placed over 250 individuals on apprenticeship programmes in IT, Marketing, and Finance in the past year with a focus on delivering a quality and engaging curriculum through face-to-face delivery at their Derby and Nottingham Training Hubs. They have supported over 200 businesses by developing and nurturing apprentices to help them become confident professionals.

Marketing Manager Chloé Farmer said: “This year’s National Apprenticeship Week theme is ‘Skills for Life’, reflecting how apprenticeships positively impact the lives of individuals through the development of skills and knowledge required for a rewarding career.

“Apprenticeships play an instrumental role in supporting businesses to develop a talented workforce that is equipped with future-ready skills to combat issues such as the digital skills gap. National Apprenticeship Week allows us to illustrate this by shining a light on the individuals and organisations that have really benefitted from apprenticeships.”

Bam Boom Cloud

Global Derby-based tech company, Bam Boom Cloud provides Microsoft solutions to small to medium sized businesses with a goal of removing old IT headaches and provide them systems and support along the way.

Bam Boom Cloud employ 10 apprentices through EMA Training in the following roles:

• 1^st line support engineer – Information Communications Technician level 3
• 1^st line Dynamics support – Digital Support Technician level 3
• Finance assistant – Assistant Accountant level 3
• Digital marketer – Digital Marketer level 3 & Marketing Executive level 4

Harry Jones, Global Head of Recruitment and Talent said, “The decision to go down the apprenticeship route was all about building our next generation within Bam Boom Cloud. We wanted to upskill the team as soon as they step foot into the business and also give young people the chance to work in a thriving and growing environment, building careers for themselves.

Not only have apprentices changed the dynamic of our company, but our digital marketer also completely overhauled our social media, making it their own and being able to put Bam Boom Cloud on the map through different platforms. Our support staff have shown what amazing customer service looks like, being nominated for awards within the apprenticeship customer support categories. It makes the job of recruitment easier and more fun, working with apprentices, showing them the growth potential and watching them bloom into the next generation of senior members of staff is definitely a highlight of my role.

Harry Jones, Global Head of Recruitment and Talent at Bam Boom Cloud

Liberty Alway – Digital Marketer – Studying Marketing Executive Level 4

“I completed the Level 3 Digital Marketing apprenticeship with EMA Training and am now completing my Level 4 Marketing Executive apprenticeship.

The apprenticeship has played a crucial part in helping me grow and succeed in my career. The in-person training that EMA offer has allowed me to dive deep into the digital marketing world.

Being able to come into the EMA Hub to complete days of learning has allowed me to meet friends who are completing the same apprenticeship as me, but at a different company. This has created a space for us to share and learn from one another’s experiences and most importantly has introduced us to some amazing friends.

I’ve progressed massively since starting my apprenticeship at Bam Boom Cloud as when I first started, I had limited knowledge and constantly doubted what I could achieve. Now, I’m confident in my role and know that it’s okay to not know everything. This is thanks to the amazing support that I receive from EMA Training and the extraordinary team I work alongside at Bam Boom Cloud.”