Spotlight to be shone on benefits of apprenticeships 

Free event will hear from panel of industry experts

The benefits of apprentice schemes will be under the spotlight at an event organised by University College Isle of Man next week.

'Fuelling Business Growth Through Apprenticeships' will feature a panel of industry experts who'll share their experiences.

It's part of National Apprenticeship Week 2025. 

The free event, on 13 February, is a collaboration involving Skills Isle of Man, UCM and the departments of education, sport and culture and enterprise.

The panel will include Olly Newton who is the executive director of the Edge Foundation and who spent 12 years at the UK's Department for Education. 

He was also specialist adviser to the House of Lords Committee on Youth Unemployment and a Commissioner on the Independent Assessment Commission.

Peter Reid, Chair of Skills Isle of Man, said: "This event is a great opportunity for organisations to find out how having apprentices could benefit a business. 

"As business leaders, entrepreneurs and managers, we are all aware of the part we play in developing the next generation of the workforce, butmost of all we have to make sure that this endeavour supports business operation, goals and growth. 

"This event will really tackle this head on.

"When we think of apprenticeships we often think of more traditional trades, such as construction and engineering, but this model is being adopted more widely in industries such as tech, healthcare and finance, with great success. 

"Whether you’re a business who already has an apprenticeship scheme or something that you haven’t tried for recruiting new talent into your business, this event is ideal for you.”