Amazing Apprenticeships have announced the next two big names to join AstraZeneca, Coca-Cola, The Open University and Premier Foods on the Genie Programme.

Sara Carlin, L&D Apprenticeship Specialist at B&Q, and NHS Apprenticeship Manager Nicky White are the newest names to commit to leading their organisations in using apprenticeships and early careers as a tool to drive social mobility and D&I.

Tom Pritchard, programme lead for The Genie Programme, says

“We couldn’t be more excited to welcome the NHS and B&Q to the Genie Programme.

It’s been such a challenging year for the NHS, it’s amazing to see them committing to further such a worthwhile agenda in the face of other pressing day-to-day challenges.

B&Q have real vision around how they can use their programmes in specific geographies where they’re needed most, and a genuine passion for improving access to opportunity.”

The first cohort of The Genie Programme, beginning May 2021, will see 12 individuals from across the UK come together to explore the many issues affecting social disadvantage, low social mobility and limited access to opportunity, and to address how their apprenticeships and early careers routes can be used to drive positive change.

Pritchard added “As well as the structured programme, the cohort will be a real community of likeminded people from a huge range of organisations and sectors. There will be great opportunities for networking, peer support and 1:1 coaching too. Both of these employers will bring a huge amount to the conversation, and get a huge amount from the programme. This cohort continues to go from strength to strength!”

With just 3 openings left for the first cohort, organisations interested in joining leading employers can get in touch with the Amazing Apprenticeships team to find out more at genie@amazingapprenticeships.com.