A pair of new recruits have been welcomed into the fold to bolster the leadership team of regional apprenticeship champions.
The North East Apprenticeships Ambassador Network (NEAAN) has appointed Jessica Duff and Jake Richardson as Apprentice Ambassador Co-Chair and Vice-Chair, respectively.
The duo, both active members of the network, will add their voices to the North East effort to promote apprenticeships and showcase the superstar apprentices and progressive businesses doing great things in the region.
Jess will Co-Chair the group alongside current Chair, Natasha Scorer, who has carried out the role for the past three years, including guiding the network through the Covid19 lockdown, which temporarily suspended all NEAAN meetings and events.
Jess said: “It’s a real honour to be selected as Co-Chair with Natasha and carry on the great work she and the network do promoting, championing and educating people and businesses about the vital role apprenticeships play in the workforce.
“It is something I am incredibly passionate about and, alongside Jake, can’t wait to get stuck into the role and begin recruiting some fresh blood into the network.”
Jess and Jake are both apprentices, Jess an Information Security Policy and Control Co-ordinator, and Jake, a Marketing Apprentice – Mortgages and Intermediaries, at Newcastle Building Society, a long-term supporter of the network that has given the new Co-Chair and Vice Chair its full support to fulfil the volunteer roles.
“NEAAN plays such an important role in ensuring the region’s voice is heard on a national level,” added Jake. “In the last year, Ian Green and Jenienne Hinchcliffe have made great strides as Co-Chairs with the Apprenticeship Ambassadors and I feel Jess, Natasha and myself can work together to light the afterburners under the Apprentice Ambassadors.
“We are a huge region with some brilliant businesses and talented individuals and our aim has to be to make sure everyone knows about it and more people and organisations participate in the apprenticeship agenda.”
Jess and Jake’s first official event was to attend the HR&D North East Awards in June, and their arrival ensures NEAAN has a more diverse Board, working to deliver the network’s business plan in the North East.
Natasha added: “Jess and Jake are both fabulous recruits and have so much enthusiasm and energy for the roles. Their appointment marks an incredibly exciting time for the network as we continue to grow, build our capacity to engage with more people and attend more events and continue to shout about everything that is good and progressive about apprenticeships.”
If you would like to find out more from Jess & Jake or to become an Ambassador, please email: [email protected] or visit our website: www.neaan.org.uk
