Forbes becomes Apprenticeship Ambassador

Joanne Pickering of Forbes Solicitors has been invited to become a North West Ambassador for the National Apprenticeship Service.

Joanne, director of HR, training and quality at Forbes Solicitors, will act as an advocate of the National Apprenticeship Service, using her extensive experience, knowledge and commitment to the scheme.

Forbes currently has six staff members on its Business & Administration Level II Apprenticeship Scheme, which is a unique programme developed delivered in house, with support from Damar Training, to enable employees to gain their first work related qualification. Given the recent changes in the legal qualifications, the firm is currently recruiting for an Advanced Legal Level III Apprenticeship.

Joanne said: “Not only do apprenticeships play a vital role in helping people start their careers but they have benefits to businesses too. We have several members of staff here at Forbes who started out as an Apprentice and have gone on to have successful careers. The Forbes’ Business & Administration Apprenticeship is actually delivered by a staff member who started out as an Apprentice herself.” Apprenticeships are work-based training programmes designed around the needs of employers, which lead to national recognised qualifications. They can be used to train both new and existing employees and government funding is available. Apprenticeships are designed by the Sector Skills Councils, while the National Apprenticeship Service helps to fund the training.