Exeter College proudly welcomes the Rt Hon Baroness Smith of Malvern, Minister of State for Skills at the Department for Education, to the college today for the official launch of its new Foundation Apprenticeship scheme. The event brings together students, employers, and college staff to celebrate this exciting step forward in skills development and career readiness.

Foundation Apprenticeships are a level 2 qualification that aims to help younger people gain technical knowledge and skills, in areas such as construction, engineering, healthcare and digital, while earning a wage. They are designed for people, typically aged 16 to 21, to open up opportunities for success in critical in-demand skill areas.

Foundation Apprenticeships will provide routes into skilled work such as building affordable homes, healthcare and digital roles to push our economy forward.

Exeter College is one of the UK’s largest providers of construction education and training. Expert teachers work alongside a number of passionate employers such as: Willmott Dixon, LiveWest, Vistry Group, Persimmon and Taylor Wimpey, who are all here today and investing in the workforce of the future.

Rt Hon Baroness Smith of Malvern, Minister of State (Minister for Skills) at the Department for Education said:

“It was great to meet the talented learners and enthusiastic staff and employersat Exeter College today, and I look forward to seeing these young people become the next generation of construction workers.

“Skills education is crucial to our mission to grow the economy through our Plan for Change, and foundation apprenticeships will help thousands more young people into the world of work. I am delighted Exeter College will champion these apprenticeships as a fantastic route into a rewarding career.”

John Laramy, Chief Executive and Principal at Exeter College, said:

“It is a privilege to welcome the Rt Hon Baroness Smith of Malvern to Exeter College today to launch Foundation Apprenticeships. The new route could be a game changer to help more young people on route to a great, highly skilled career, earning whilst learning. I was especially pleased that some of our construction and house builder employer partners joined the launch, pledging their commitment to take on Foundation Apprentices at Exeter College.

“As a former apprentice in the construction industry, I know from firsthand experience, that an apprenticeship opens many doors and is a great way to start a career. I believe a reinvigorated apprenticeship programme overtly oriented to young people could be a key part of solving our national productivity challenge.”

Mike Blakeley, Executive Director of Partnerships and Apprenticeships at Exeter College, said:

“Employers and young people’s demand for Apprenticeships is stronger than ever, both here in Exeter and across the wider region. The introduction of the Foundation Apprenticeship marks a vital step forward, offering targeted skills training and a clear pathway into employment for those under the age of 21.

“Employers in our network are already showing significant enthusiasm for Foundation Apprenticeships, recognising their value as an effective recruitment tool for the next generation of talent. By launching the programme across four key sectors, we’re addressing critical skills gaps and helping to alleviate ongoing recruitment challenges, nowhere more urgently than in the construction sector here in the southwest.

“By adding Foundation Apprenticeships to our offer, our employers are now even better positioned to welcome young people into their organisations. We look forward to seeing the impact of Foundation Apprenticeships and how they grow.”

Nigel Harris, Senior Operations Manager at Willmott Dixon said:

“We are delighted to support the launch of the Foundation Apprenticeship scheme at Exeter College today. By signing the pledge, Willmott Dixon is committed to be part of the scheme and will fully engage to take on Foundation Apprentices along with our supply chain partners.

“Foundation Apprenticeships are a fantastic opportunity for young people to take their first step into the world of work while continuing to learn which Willmott Dixon fully supports.”

Delilah Minns, 17, Bricklaying Apprentice at Exeter College said:

“I’m a very practical person and after school really wanted a different way to learn a new skill, that’s why I chose to study a bricklaying apprenticeship at Exeter College. I was lucky as the college helped me to find an employer to support the start of my career in construction. I hope that these new Foundation Apprenticeships will mean the college can help even more young people to get into the industry they would like to work in.”