This is a talking point published in the Hereford Times on November 14.

Samantha Lewis, director of people and operations, Nmite

AS a strong advocate for apprenticeships, I’m always excited to see more businesses embracing this route as a means for people to gain both qualifications and hands on experience.

Having had the privilege of managing apprentices myself and supporting their personal and professional development, I can confidently say that apprentices bring immense value to any organisation.

However, Herefordshire has historically been a higher education cold spot with many apprentices in the county lacking ongoing support and prospects after completing their apprenticeship. This gap impacts the overall qualification levels within our local population.

So, how can we better support local businesses in developing and retaining their workforce?

And how can we leverage reskilling and upskilling opportunities to enhance the prospects of our younger workforce?

NMITE’s model already mirrors many of the strengths of apprenticeships. As a model that formally incorporates industry-led challenges, it empowers students to become skilled, adaptable and industry ready professionals, while also supporting many businesses with a pipeline of talent trained to meet their needs.

But there’s another layer to this innovative institution that could see the future of Hereford distance itself from its “cold spot” past and see this refreshing new model of education make its mark across multiple disciplines spanning the county and beyond.

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The launch of NMITE’s Centre for Innovation and Future Skills (CIFS) is a pivotal step in this direction, shaping the future of Herefordshire’s business landscape, and will provide apprenticeship providers, their apprentices and individuals from all walks of life with the skills of tomorrow.

CIFS will provide vital business and innovation support to the region through its work in upskilling, reskilling, and fostering innovation equipping them to thrive in the future of work.

The centre will exemplify NMITE’s mission to ensure our talent stays local, and I am pleased to be part of an organisation that continues to prioritise and invest in the growth of the individuals within our community.