The Black Country region of the West Midlands Apprenticeship Ambassador Network met for their Quarterly Hybrid meeting on the 16th July.
One hundred ambassadors turned up to the Grand Station, or tuned into the meeting online, to hear updates from the national AAN, our Black Country regional ambassadors, our Co-Chair and Apprentice Chair.
Everyone was urged to get the West Midlands AAN conference in their diaries for 12 February 2026 at the IOT in Stafford. This is during National Apprenticeship Week 2026, which runs from 9th-15th February 2026.
Our marketing partner Hurrah urged ambassadors to visit and review the freshly launched website, to connect and collaborate with our social channels, and contribute to gathering and sharing authentic content to help support, grow and celebrate the network.
Saima and Tino updated on progress towards our buddying objectives. Currently school engagement is tracking at 73%, and whilst we have achieved expectations when it comes to SME buddying, the ambition is to add a further 141 buddies.
We were grateful to include insightful online updates from the national AAN by Professor Ian Green MBE who gave an overview of the ambitions of the national AAN’s Schools and Colleges Working Group, and Dominique Unsworth MBE who updated us on the national situation with SME outreach.
Paul Fellows, our Employer Champion for the Black Country gave some fabulous examples of engagement with schools, such as the Dunstall Park event which connected with 900 youngsters and the Ladder Teacher Encounter Days. Phenomenal feedback was received and shared.
The Black Country Apprenticeship Awards called for entrants and we are all looking forward to their awards event which will celebrate the successes of apprentices in the Black Country, at the Copthorne Hotel in Dudley, on the 20th November.
Rose Rees MBE presented the wonderful Midland Metro Alliance Awards, which saw 600 SEND students participate from 19 Black Country schools. The Bug Hotels and Tram Stop designs were fantastic. The awards attracted 200 attendees with 83 trophies awarded in total. Amazing!
Speaking of celebrations, Tino reminded us of the Worcestershire Apprenticeship Awards on the 13 November at the West Midlands Safari Park. He also discussed two opportunities to get involved in the National Apprenticeship Show 10th-11th March 2026 and the National School and College Leaver Fest 11-12 November 2025 at the NEC.
The Black Country Chamber took us through their benefits of membership, and how they can be a conduit for SMEs engaging with apprenticeships.
Employer Champion for Birmingham and Solihull, Justine from The Ladder took us through pertinent changes and updates, including new Foundation Apprenticeships at Level 2, funding changes to Level 7 degree apprenticeships, and changes to off the job training hours, compliance, recognition of prior learning and experience and minimum duration/hours.
In all, it was packed programme and a good mix of information sharing and connection, thanks to all who contributed and attended.
Our next regional quarterly hybrid meeting is in Coventry, on the 24th November. Please register your attendance here.
