As the nation enters National Apprenticeship Week 2023, Mark Smith – Commercial Banking Relationship Director at Lloyds Banking Group and President of the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce – shares his positive approach to apprenticeships.
Mark says: “Lloyds Bank see apprenticeships as an essential part of the commercial economy. We’re thrilled to be able to support and shape the future of the workforce – in every sector – ensuring that the expertise of today continues into tomorrow.”
Indeed, Lloyds Banking Group is celebrating the recruitment of its 10,000th apprentice with a series of events to mark National Apprenticeship Week 2023.
The Group’s apprenticeship schemes have grown from six in 2012 available to around 200 apprentices, to 30 apprenticeship programmes, from level 2 (GSCE equivalent) to level 7 (master’s degree equivalent) available to around 1,400 people.
Over the years Mark has been delighted to work with and support Herefordshire & Worcestershire Group Training Association (HWGTA), one of the leading apprenticeship organisations in the two counties. HWGTA support employers from small local businesses up to large international companies in recruiting, developing and training their apprenticeships. Many other local organisations, including the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, are also celebrating their successes with a variety of events including open days, careers fayres and a double-decker ‘apprenticeship bus’ hitting the Worcestershire roads.
Mark concludes: “It is of utmost importance that we continue to develop the workforce of the future through apprenticeships and beyond.”