JQBID celebrates National Apprenticeship Week
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National Apprenticeship Week brings together businesses and apprentices from across the country to shine a light on the positive impact that apprenticeships make to individuals, businesses and the wider economy.
The JQBID continues to work closely with local universities to find placements for students in businesses across the Jewellery Quarter, including the Jewellery Quarter Development Trust (JQDT). Over the last two years, the JQDT has worked with 6 young people, with placements in both the Jewellery Quarter Townscape Heritage project (JQTH) and the JQBID.
Esha Kohli, a Business and Finance student at University College Birmingham, joined the JQBID as an apprentice in October 2020, working one day a week. Working within the Ambassador team, Esha provided extra help in liaising with local businesses and helping with administrative duties. When the apprenticeship scheme came to an end in May 2021, the JQBID worked with the University to employ Esha as a permanent member of staff. To ensure that Esha balances work and studying, the scheme offers flexibility to both the employer and employee to adjust hours where necessary.
Esha describes what it’s like to work at the JQBID:
The reason behind me choosing to work for the JQBID was due to the variety of experiences that I would get out of the placement. On an every day basis at the JQBID, I interact with businesses to ensure they are getting the most out of being a BID Levy Payer. This is through supporting them with our Discover JQ app and speaking with them about events and projects. I also work in the administrative side of the business too. Since working at the JQBID, my communication skills, interpersonal skills and leadership skills have all been improved.
Esha recommends apprenticeship schemes to other students.
I would definitely recommend other students to work as an apprentice as it gives you experience that puts you ahead of others when trying to pursue your career. Once my apprenticeship ends I hope to continue to develop my skills and utilise what I’ve learnt to go further in my career.
Other placements organised by the JQDT, include the Jewellery Quarter Townscape Heritage project taking students on to help with research projects, and the JQBID working with students on marketing tasks, including blog writing and social media.
In addition to placements within the JQDT, the JQBID has also organised for students to be placed in a variety of other businesses within the Jewellery Quarter. These have included University College of Food students working with local coffee shops to help with waitering and food prep. Retail stores within the Quarter have also taken students on to help with marketing and admin.
The Jewellery Quarter is a growing base for higher education with University College Birmingham, University of Law and Birmingham City University all having campuses within the area, meaning there are thousands of students studying a huge variety of courses. Universities can offer apprenticeship schemes in a large number of disciplines, including business and finance, marketing, hospitality, hair dressing, and even physiotherapy. If your business is interested in taking on an apprentice, please email info@jqdt.org.