National Apprenticeship Week 2023

The theme for National Apprenticeship Week 2023 is ‘Skills for Life’; showcasing how apprenticeships help individuals by developing the skills and knowledge required to kickstart a rewarding career.

Our CEO, Debbie Akehurst, is an Ambassador for the London Apprenticeship Ambassador Network (LAAN);
‘As the CEO of Central District Alliance, I am delighted to be a member of the LAAN. Apprenticeships offer fantastic opportunities to learn whilst earning a wage. They are an exciting employment option, where you get hands-on training and can put your skills into practice, in a real working environment. Apprenticeships are available across most industries and at multiple levels, from school leavers, people upskilling in their careers and complete career changes.’

National Apprenticeship Week 2023 (NAW23) is the 16th annual celebration of apprenticeships.

Read Philip’s full interview on his apprenticeship, how he started and his plans moving forward.

Philip is the Night Manager at The Royal National Hotel in Holborn. By 2022, he had completed his Level 3 Concierge Supervisor and Level 4 Hospitality Management.

Through his apprenticeship, Philip has built up his responsibility over time and now manages 1,630 rooms and over 3,500 guests throughout the night when the hotel is at full capacity.

 Philip credits his success to "The Imperial London Hotel Group offering a range of courses/workshops with different departments in the company and regular meetings with my mentor".

The Royal National Hotel is part of the Imperial Hotel Group.

He plans to continue to work his way up the ladder whilst recommending apprenticeships, they have been a great learning journey for him and built confidence in his ability as a leader.

Donita is the Assistant Store Manager at Metro Bank in Tottenham Court Road.

After finishing her A-levels, she wanted to a challenge and to go into a new environment that pushed her. She wanted to build on her customer service skills, and when she found Metro Bank Cashier Apprenticeship on Indeed, she knew it would be a perfect fit.

Her communication skills have allowed her to grow and gain a promotion with the help of her supportive mentor.

Her apprenticeship has given her transferable skills and helped her enjoy her role.

Donita recognised her growth at Metro Bank, allowing her to overcome challenges and be given new levels of responsibility. 

"Apprenticeships have allowed me to stand over from the crowd as well as giving me a wider range of career choices, I'd 100% advise people looking for a new challenge to look into them and the benefits they can give you!"

A comment from Jimmy Munoz, the Local Director at Tottenham Court Road on High Holborn, on why the company is so passionate about apprenticeships;

‘At Metro Bank our motto has always been to hire for attitude and train for skill. Meaning, so long as you have the amazing attitude we look for, we commit to providing you the tools needed to succeed and grow within our organisation. We are really proud of our banking apprenticeship and how it has allowed so many wonderful individuals an opportunity to create themselves a career in banking. In return the majority of our amazing apprentices have really contributed in shaping and growing Metro Bank into the best community bank in the country, so it’s a win, win’.