Genie Live 2024 – the one-day diversity and inclusion conference for apprenticeship professionals, welcomed 150 changemakers from across the sector to the Bishopsgate Institute in London, to explore how to widen access to apprenticeships for those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Baroness Floella Benjamin is a lifelong advocate for children and young people and is committed to the creation of opportunity, especially for those who are disadvantaged. She set the tone for the day, inspiring delegates in her immersive speech by sharing stories, anecdotes and songs from her childhood and early career, right through to more recent events.
Baroness Benjamin equipped the audience with a roadmap for life, instilling the importance of being confident and brave in using the positions we are in to create opportunities for others and making a difference, especially for those who are less-advantaged. She added,
“When people come to me, I give them opportunities. And I want you to be the same – give opportunities, show them what’s possible, be that guardian angel, that GENIE”.
The audience were left inspired and enthused, as one delegate said,
“Floella was super inspirational – in fact, she’s beyond inspirational. I took away so many important messages.”. With another delegate adding, “The inspirational talk delivered by Baroness Floella was amazing!! Her story and key messages will stay with me for life”.
Innovation workshops were then the order of the day with interactive sessions and presentations delivered by organisations, including The Sutton Trust, John Lewis Partnership, The Black Apprentice Network, the NHS and Timpson, to name just a few.
Employers and training providers, some with already established and robust social mobility-focussed apprenticeship programmes, others partway through their journey, offered frank and open presentations to inspire discussion around what could be possible as delegates had the opportunity to explore what might work within their own organisations.
“We were really glad to be asked to share our insights on apprenticeships and marginalised young people, and were delighted at how many people came along to our session. It was a great day, very interesting sessions and many great attendees to connect with. It was great to see such a variety of employers in the room.” Eleanor Marsea, Engagement Manager, Youth Futures Foundation.
The workshop schedule was complemented with an apprentice panel session to discuss culture and community featuring the founders of The Black Apprentice Network, Elijah, Kwesi and Rubin, and chaired by Genie Programme Tutor, David Williams. The panel shared their insights and lived-experience, giving the audience a valuable opportunity to take away new and important ideas on how to support and inspire their own apprentices.
One delegate added, “Hearing from the Black Apprentice Network was really good – it was fantastic to hear directly from some current apprentices and to understand more about what their experiences are.”
Guests asked to sum up the day said,
‘Insightful, informative and moving. Being surrounded by like-minded passionate people made the day even better.’ With one delegate adding that the day was ‘Inspiration on another level!’
Anna Morrison CBE, founder of Amazing Apprenticeships oversaw the events of the day, adding,
“Genie Live is just a small taste of what a small number of employers experience each year on The Genie Programme. We wanted to bring a little of the learning of the programme to a bigger audience and inspire even more organisations to look at the opportunities that apprenticeships present for those individuals who may be facing personal challenges or barriers.”
“It was brilliant to see Genie Programme delegates past and present in the audience, as well as many new employers, some of whom are just starting out on their journeys. The feedback from the sector has been amazing, with many registering their interest for Genie Live 2025 and also enquiring about The Genie Programme and the opportunities it presents. We are looking forward to inspiring even more individuals around what they could achieve from the role they are in.”
Places on the Genie Programme 2024 are currently open for application. Find out more here.