From Shaheen Gul, Academy Recruitment Specialist at Roq

Receiving your GCSE and A Level results is an exciting moment as it enables you to begin planning for your future career. Many young individuals may feel uncertain about the career or industry they wish to pursue and might opt for Higher Education as a safe option. However, an increasing number of young people are now selecting an alternative route, such as apprenticeships, particularly those leading to a degree. This is because apprenticeships offer a unique chance to attain hands-on experience in the industry, earn a degree, and commence a career with a company that offers progression and job security.

The UK is in the midst of a digital skills crisis.  There are simply not enough people to fill the technical roles that businesses currently have.  In fact, during a recent business networking event organised by Roq, employers from diverse industries shared their struggles in finding the right candidates to fill their job openings. They emphasised that possessing a willingness to learn, excellent communication skills and strong soft skills were more important than technical expertise which can be taught on the job. So, if you are interested in working in a particular sector and are open to learning new things, an apprenticeship can prove to be a valuable opportunity for your career advancement.

If you are considering an apprenticeship at 16 or 18+, here are some helpful pointers to keep in mind:

• Increase your chances of securing a job, by conducting thorough research on the company you are interested in. By following them on social media and LinkedIn, you can gain valuable insights into their corporate culture and values. Additionally, creating a LinkedIn profile can help you connect with employers and professionals in your industry.

• When filling out the application form, make sure to provide unambiguous and concise answers. Be sure to proofread your responses meticulously for any spelling and grammar errors, as these can detract from the overall quality of your application.

• If you are asked to do a telephone interview, it is important to be prepared with clear and thoughtful responses. Similarly, if you attend an assessment centre, be at ease, be yourself, and demonstrate your soft skills such as teamwork, communication, and leadership.

• During a final interview, it is crucial to ensure that you comprehend the role and the opportunities for advancement. Having some knowledge about the employer’s industry can also be beneficial in showing your interest and commitment to the job.

If pursuing an apprenticeship is something of interest, the best advice would to be persevere in the search for the right opportunity for you, do your research, and remember, failure is a part of the journey to success.

Thanks to its continued growth, as well as the recently introduced offering of an SEO service, the team at JBH have made the decision to open a brand-new office in Central London to help further establish its position as one of the fastest growing agencies in the UK.

The agency, which is headquartered in the Ancoats area of Manchester and celebrates its tenth birthday later on this year, will use the new office in Kings Cross to help with its expansion into international territories. It will also provide a more accessible hub for building ongoing relationships with some of its newly acquired client accounts based in the South of England.

Commenting on the decision to open a new London base for the agency, Jane Hunt, CEO of JBH, said:

“I could not be more excited about the decision to open up a brand new JBH base in the heart of London. Whilst we  – like so many other businesses over the past three years – have pivoted our offering to be able to deliver our services to clients remotely, there is nothing quite like touching base with our existing and prospective clients via in-person meetings.

“Being able to build and maintain trusted client relationships is something that JBH has always prided itself on, and enjoying the chance to brainstorm and ideate for new campaigns and strategies in person are something that many working in the industry have missed out on since the onset of the COVID pandemic.

“By establishing a base in the UK capital, we believe it will be a lot easier to achieve these kinds of partnerships once again, and we are excited to see what opportunities arise as a result of our new London presence.

“Our brand-new office, based just one minute walk from Euston Square tube station, is absolutely beautiful, and I believe it’s personality and design perfectly encapsulates who JBH are as an organisation, and the kind of service we offer to all our existing and future clients.”

On Thursday 17^th August, the Vegetarian Society is celebrating being back in the city of Manchester with the launch of a brand-new pale ale, ‘1847’, created by the renowned independent and Manchester-based Marble Brewery.

The event at the Marble Arch Pub, on Rochdale Road, will bring together key members of the Society and the brewery, together with friends and supporters from across Manchester to celebrate the Society’s relocation back into the city as it celebrates its 175^th anniversary.

Guests will have the chance to grab a pint of ‘1847’, named after the year of the Society’s formation, grab some vegan grub, and hear about the role Manchester played in the formation of the modern vegetarian and vegan movement.

The ‘1847’ beer has a soft, mellow, and slightly bready base bursting with the fresh flavours of citrus fruits, grapes, and melon. ‘1847’ will be available for a limited time at select locations in Manchester, offering beer enthusiasts and supporters of vegetarianism a unique opportunity to raise a glass to 175 years.

Richard McIlwain, Chief Executive of the Vegetarian Society, expressed his enthusiasm for this unique collaboration, stating: “It’s a joyous occasion to witness the coming together of two Manchester institutions to create something as innovative and vibrant as the ‘1847’ beer. This venture not only celebrates our 175th anniversary but also demonstrates the thriving spirit of our city and the remarkable progress of vegetarianism.

“We’re proud to collaborate with Marble Brewery and celebrate our shared values through this fantastic vegan beer. It’s also perfect timing as we move back to our roots in our hometown of Manchester.”

The beer is one of many Marble beers that display the Vegetarian Society Approved trademark accreditation. The partnership between the Vegetarian Society and Marble Brewery signifies the coming together of history, culture, and innovation. As the Vegetarian Society returns to Manchester, it brings with it a legacy of compassion, sustainability, and culinary exploration.

The Vegetarian Society is a campaigning charity bringing the benefits of plant-based eating to all! It campaigns to make the necessary changes happen — changes to help people, the planet, and animals.

GC Angels, one of Greater Manchester’s leading early-stage equity investors, has announced a partnership with NorthInvest to deliver Fund Her North activities across the North West, increasing its commitment to driving change across the Northern investment landscape.  

The collaboration underscores a shared commitment to promoting female-led innovation, and propelling economic transformation through investment, collaboration, and expertise. 

Already a signatory of the Investing in Women Code, GC Angels is doubling this commitment to support female investment by delivering Fund Her North activities. With Manchester as the focal point, GC Angels is now looking to extend this network throughout the North West to Cumbria, Merseyside, Cheshire and Lancashire, to ensure all female founders have access to capital and support. 

The British Business Bank’s most recent Small Business Equity Tracker revealed that only 2% of UK capital goes to all female founded teams. Committed to driving investment to female entrepreneurs, GC Angels have bucked the trend, investing 25 per cent of funds to all female founded teams since its inception in 2018, most recently in rising FinTech company Financielle.   

To date, Fund Her North has supported nearly 500 business owners and played a role in closing 14 funding rounds, leveraging a total of £4.5m for female founded businesses. Through the GC Angels network, the team is looking to continue this activity with a renewed focus on closing more investment deals. Fund Her North will also have access to the wider Growth Company Group including Business Finance, Employment, Education & Skills and growth through the Business Growth Hub. 

Fund Her North will be hosting its next event, in partnership with NatWest, supported by the UK British Angels Association, on 17^th August in Manchester.  

Sarah Ayton, strategic relationships manager at GC Angels, said: “Our partnership with NorthInvest represents a monumental step toward reshaping the investment landscape and supporting the ingenuity of female entrepreneurs through Fund Her North. Together, we’re unlocking new opportunities for growth and innovation. 

“Delivering Fund Her North strengthens our mission to empower women in business. Collectively, we’re creating a vibrant ecosystem that fuels innovation and drives equitable opportunities for female entrepreneurs across the North.” 

Professor Adam Beaumont, founder at North Invest, added: “The synergy between GC Angels and NorthInvest is electrifying. We’re so excited to have the team on board as a key delivery partner to help create an investment ecosystem that truly supports female entrepreneurs.” 

Find out more about the re-launch event and book tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/delivering-female-investment-in-the-north-west-tickets-692268472637?aff=oddtdtcreator  

For a chance to pitch, apply here: https://forms.office.com/e/63RjvP58Qm