Apprenticeships – a golden ticket for social mobility?
Apprenticeships are often touted as a way for employers to promote social mobility and increase socio-economic diversity in their workforce – but is this always the case? Recent research shows that young people from higher socio-economic backgrounds are now more likely to consider an apprenticeship than their less privileged peers (Unheard Voices) and the Social Mobility Commission states that many employers have fallen into the trap of supporting those who already have access to opportunities.
At this event you’ll hear from a range of panellists, including employers, charities, and apprentices themselves, about how we can redress the balance and promote apprenticeships as an effective tool for social mobility. You’ll leave with some key take-aways to apply in your own organisation whatever stage of the apprenticeship journey you are on.
Check out this blog from Apprentice Solicitor Fabian Murray, one of our speakers.
About the Speakers:
My name is Fabian Murray, I am second year solicitor apprentice at DLA Piper. I currently work in the litigation and regulatory department where I assist with work across the litigation and arbitration, construction and regulatory teams. Previously, I spent my first year with the corporate team working across the various practice areas ranging from share and asset purchases, initial public offerings, reinvestments, reorganisations, and private equity. Alongside my general fee earning duties, I have a keen interest in diversity and inclusion. I am a BAME Advocate at the University of Law whereby I act as a representative and advocate for those from racial and ethnic minority backgrounds. I also have a prominent role in the launch of DLA Piper’s social mobility network, as well as leading the relaunch of ‘Mosaic’ (the firm’s race and ethnicity network) in Manchester. Furthermore, I am an avid promoter of the solicitor apprenticeship as an alternative route into law and actively educate others on the benefits of this route.
I am an experienced relationship manager with a demonstrated history of working in the philanthropy sector. I am a strong networking professional, and I am skilled in coaching, management, fundraising & leadership. I have worked in the charity sector for over 10 years, I have worked closely with young people who face numerous challenges. In my current position I focus on development for young people across the Northwest, who are at risk of under employment due to social mobility barriers. The charity I work for specialise in placing young people into long lasting, meaningful careers by bridging the gap between businesses across the region and the talent pool of young people who need support to reach this business network.
I’m Tamsin Danby, I lead the Community Impact team at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer. I am a passionate sustainability professional with over ten years’ leadership experience in the law, finance and consultancy sectors. Within my current role, my focus is on promoting access to opportunity, particularly through social mobility and racial equity. This is achieved in the UK through two flagship access to opportunity programmes, Freshfields Stephen Lawrence Scholarship Scheme and Freshfields Aspiring Professionals Programme. I am the Chair of the social mobility group within the pro-manchester EDI committee and sit on the social mobility network within Freshfields where I’ve had the privilege to put together events with leading thinkers in social mobility such as Professor Lee Elliott Major and Professor Sam Friedman.
I’m John Bowden, Managing Director of Atec Engineering Solutions. I have spent the last 26 years in the engineering and manufacturing sector and started my career as a technical apprentice with Vickers Defence Systems (Later BAE), coming out of my time as an electrical technician, before progressing into an engineering role. I started with Atec in 2012 as Director of Engineering and completed a Management Buy Out of Atec a little over 2 years ago – Interestingly, the previous business owner, Andrea Hough OBE, was also a former apprentice with the business.
I have always been and continue to be a huge advocate for apprenticeships and have re-introduced apprenticeships to Atec some 8 years ago, with an ongoing commitment to creating at least 2 new apprenticeship roles each year. As a business, we are dedicated to the social value agenda and are actively engaged with local schools and colleges to provide mentoring, manufacturing open days and work experience multiple times each year, in the pursuit of inspiring the next generation to consider manufacturing as a career and to enrich and uplift the industry as a whole. We are also hopeful that by providing these experiences, it may help to break down some of the gender and socio-economic barriers that currently exist within the manufacturing and engineering sectors alike. In this ongoing environment of skills gaps and talent shortages, never has it been a better time to grow your own talent and apprenticeships are a great way to invest in your industry.
Liz joined the SMF in April 2021, with a background in corporate fundraising and strategic sales. After spending many years at ITV, Liz moved into corporate fundraising with roles at Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity, Sands (the Stillbirth & Neonatal Death Charity) and the NSPCC. She returned to the UK in 2020, having spent three years living in Singapore with her family. Whilst abroad, she worked for the British Chamber of Commerce and ran a non-profit membership organisation for new parents, offering support, resources and a programme of events.
At the SMF, Liz heads up External Relations and Business Development, and her team manages our portfolio of corporate funding relationships as well as being responsible for shaping future partnership opportunities.
Interested In The Event?
If you’re interested in attending, you can book online here.
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