Supporting skills for life with apprenticeships in atmospheric science
National Apprenticeship Week is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of apprentices around the UK, and the positive impact they make to organisations and communities – taking place 5 – 11 February 2024.
The theme for National Apprenticeship Week 2024 is #SkillsFofLife, which encourages individuals, employers, and communities to consider how apprenticeships can help to provide people with skills for life.
Last month, the National Centre for Atmospheric Science (NCAS) launched our first apprenticeship. Even though we are at the beginning of our apprenticeship scheme journey, we want to highlight the importance of supporting apprenticeships as an alternate route into the environmental science sector.
Apprenticeships are now considered for any new roles developed within the organisation, where appropriate – this being the case particularly for our technical roles.
Dr Barbara Brooks, our Scientific Services, Facilities and Training Director, promotes the need for apprenticeship opportunities across the organisation:
“Apprenticeships provide an opportunity to train, develop and nurture the next generation of NCAS staff. By offering routes into the organisation outside of traditional NCAS recruitment, apprenticeships introduce new ideas, new ways of working and new experiences to the organisation to keep us agile and forward-looking.”
This month we are excited to welcome Orlane Martinez, our new Inclusive Recruitment Support Officer Apprentice. Orlane will be supporting NCAS to improve our inclusive recruitment practices over the next 2 years, as part of our commitment to nurture a more diverse science community.
Alongside Orlane’s new position, she will be completing an Associate Project Management apprenticeship and developing a new suite of skills.
I feel so grateful to be able to undertake an apprenticeship alongside my role at NCAS. Having the opportunity to be involved in and lead projects that have a positive impact on the way communities foster their resilience against the climate crisis is extremely rewarding.
During my previous work experience in the third sector, I had the opportunity to be involved in project management in a support capacity. This apprenticeship is the perfect opportunity to expand on those skills by adding theoretical knowledge that will directly translate into my day-to-day responsibilities at NCAS.
I am hoping that this apprenticeship will allow me to develop the expertise necessary to be a part of NCAS’ progress in diversifying the field of atmospheric science and making it more inclusive.
Orlane Martinez, Inclusive Recruitment Support Officer (she/her)
For more information regarding apprenticeships at NCAS please contact Lisa Banton, our Head of People, EDI and Workforce Development.
To keep up to date with National Apprenticeship Week 2024, follow Apprenticeships on LinkedIn.