Apprentice Nation - Campaign Announcement
EMBARGOED until 16.09.2020 18:00 HRS
UK MUSIC ARTISTS
TINIE, RAYE & MS BANKS
To Perform at APPRENTICE NATION Livestream Concert
1 October 7pm
Apprentice Nation, supported by BT, inspires young people to get career-ready via free concert and webinar series
Apprentice Nation’s six-week series covers important work-ready topics and features exclusive video content with the music artists from the livestream alongside industry experts
Participants can earn rewards with gamified work and life skills training, including an exclusive pair of Clarks Originals shoes and an online video call with their favourite artist from the livestream
Images available for download HERE
Tinie, Raye and Ms Banks are joining Apprentice Nation to launch their 2020 programme with an exclusive livestream concert taking place on 1 October. The platform brings together RockCorps, WhiteHat and BT to energise and inspire young people to shape their future.
Following the concert, a six-week series of webinars will offer advice on how to become work ready; helping young people to navigate their way through uncertainty during this pandemic and ultimately to get the career they want. These will feature content from lead partner BT as well as industry experts and artists from the livestream. The more courses that participants complete, the more rewards they unlock.
Tinie said:
“I’m hyped to join Apprentice Nation. Everyone, and I mean everyone, deserves an equal playing field to get a good start in their career. Apprentice Nation is leading the way with inspiration to help people shape their future.”
Raye said:
“Working together with Apprentice Nation gives me the chance to encourage any young people who are ready and hungry to find their own path and start their story - and have a little fun at the same time.”
Ms Banks said:
“I can’t wait to get on stage with Apprentice Nation to share my music on 1 October. It isn’t right, but young people, especially those from underrepresented communities, have to work twice as hard; I want to let them know they can be whatever they want, achieve what they want and help them realise that success is within their grasp. Whenever I can help and support young people to prepare for life, I am down. Apprentice Nation is a great place to do that and I’m proud to spread good vibes and be a part of it. My message? Be the best you can be.”
Apprentice Nation’s vision is a Britain where apprenticeships and university are equally valued. Raising awareness of apprenticeships among diverse and underrepresented groups of young people, as well as providing them with fundamental skills for the future is just part of how this will be achieved. Promoting apprenticeships to companies and influencers is also a key objective.
Following the London and Manchester pilot programmes last year, reaching over 15,000 young people and featuring Grammy nominated artist 6lack, rapper Not3s and grime artist Jaykae, Apprentice Nation now plans to reach 1 million young people by 2025.
Jada took part in Apprentice Nation, 2019 and says:
“I’m so grateful that I could be part of Apprentice Nation. It was really enlightening and gave me the confidence and reassurance that I needed to decide against university.”
Stephen Greene CBE, CEO of RockCorps and Producer of Apprentice Nation, said:
“COVID is hammering the employment sector all around the UK - this is particularly hard on young people and those from underrepresented communities. We are proud to be delivering Apprentice Nation with BT at a time when young people most need our support.”
Euan Blair, CEO of WhiteHat and Producer of Apprentice Nation said:
“Through Apprentice Nation we’ve helped thousands of young people take that first step towards transforming their careers with a top apprenticeship. Now, with COVID disproportionately harming the prospects of young people, it’s more important than ever before.”
Pete Jeavons, Marketing Communications Director for BT said:
“As one of the UK’s largest apprentice providers - employing more than 4,000 apprentices- we’re excited to continue our successful partnership with Apprentice Nation to inspire the new generation of young people to apply for an apprenticeship. Working together, we will bring Apprentice Nation to more young people across the UK this autumn, reaching a more diverse audience, level the playing field and help change the perception of apprenticeships for the better.”
RockCorps have a proven track record of inspiring young people to take action through music concerts, and WhiteHat is a tech startup creating an outstanding alternative to university through apprenticeships.
To find out more about Apprentice Nation and how they are opening more opportunities to young people across the country visit www.apprenticenation.co.uk
For more information and to arrange interviews with Stephen Greene, Euan Blair and young people who have been found alternative routes to employment please contact Jeni Saint on jsaint@rockcorps.com.
ENDS
Notes to editors
Latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed that the number of people in work fell by 220,000 between April and June this year with the youngest workers being some of the hardest hit with almost 1 in 7 now being unemployed.
Job Instability & Locked Down Industries - 23% of employees aged 18-24 have been furloughed and a further 9% have lost their jobs completely. (The Resolution Foundation May 2020)
Mental Health - Unemployed 15-24 year olds are twice as likely to experience mental illness (and even more so for blue-collared workers) and they receive inpatient treatment more often (Institute of Fiscal Studies May 2020)
About Apprentice Nation
Apprentice Nation is the platform from RockCorps, who have a proven track record of inspiring young people to take action through music concerts, and WhiteHat, a tech start-up designed to create an outstanding alternative to university.
Apprentice Nation is creating a movement to change the perception of apprenticeships and make them something that young people want to do.
To find out more about Apprentice Nation and how they are opening more opportunities to young people across the country visit www.apprenticenation.co.uk