Partner Article

First4Skills becomes first training provider to be given full NUS Membership

It was announced at the National Union of Students (NUS) National Conference, which took place in Liverpool in April, that First4Skills is the first national training provider to be accredited with full membership status within NUS.

First4Skills is a Liverpool-based national training organisation committed to creating opportunities for learners and to drive apprenticeship growth nationally, to respond to employer needs and deliver responsive and high quality provision.

First4Skills work to empower learners to contribute to the decision making process and give greater confidence in developing new skills that will support them outside their apprenticeship programme.

Saskia Jamieson, Head of Quality at First4Skills said: “We were very proud to attend the recent NUS conference in Liverpool where we became the first training provider to be accepted with full NUS membership.

“This is a significant step to putting apprentices on the map alongside further and higher education and we are looking forward to continuing to work alongside NUS and National Society of Apprentices (NSoA) to continue the promotion of apprenticeships within the workplace.”

Argos Apprentice Nathan Wedlin, said, I think the conference was an amazing experience, one I wish to have again. It was great for apprentices to be a part of the NUS and I hope there will be more of us there to represent First4Skills next year, it would be an honour for me to do it again. It was also great to interact with the NAS, “National society of Apprentices” and speak with and for them at a separate event at the conference.

Fujitsu Apprentice Ben Hughes, said: “I was pleased to have attended the NUS National Conference in Liverpool. Whilst I was there I got to meet with members of the NSoA, share my apprenticeship experiences as well as that of others and that I was able to contribute to the discussions. I have received a lot of support and encouragement from my employer and First4Skills.”

NUS vice president, Raechel Mattey, said: “I’m so pleased that First4Skills has received full membership status to NUS and will be supporting the National Society of Apprentices (NSoA). The society is dedicated to bettering the lives of apprentices, so having one of the largest training providers on board and helping us spread our message is really positive.

“Since National Apprentice Week we have had over 100 training providers sign up, representing over 100,000 apprentices. The society is the perfect way to celebrate apprenticeships and the positive impact they have on individuals, businesses and the wider economy.

“NUS understands that the importance of strong representation and having a voice to shape the environment. Never before has anyone listened to the views of apprentices at a national level, until now. For the first time ever, apprentices will have a voice.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Dan Minchin .