As a Degree Apprentice at GXO and part-time Student Union representative, I wanted to create an opportunity for degree apprentices to come together alongside industry leaders to develop our skills and knowledge, but also create a sense of community.
Sheffield Hallam degree apprentices are a large group spanning people of all ages and at all stages of life, from different industries, backgrounds and knowledge. The University is one of the largest providers of degree apprenticeships, currently offering 40 standards to 3,000 degree apprentices and working with over 700 employers.
To bring us together to share our knowledge and expertise, we recently launched TAD Talks – a distinctive platform allowing degree apprentices to connect with industry experts - with our inaugural event focusing on the strategies of business leaders in Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG).
We heard from industry leaders who have achieved success in navigating the ESG landscape: Karen Leppard, Director of ESG at GXO Logistics; Bradley Longford, Chair of the AAN for the Yorkshire and Humber Ambassador Network; Robyn Brook, CEO and founder of Footprint Recycling; Steve Marples, Regional Sales Manager at Kite Packaging; June Finlay, National Account Manager for Kite Packaging; Jonathan Young, Chief Financial Officer at FDM group and Philip Branford, PIEMA Environmental and Sustainability Office at Sheffield Children’s Hospice.
The panellists inspired degree apprentices to explore sustainability and understand its impact on the workplace, with some fantastic case studies to demonstrate the quick wins businesses can do today.
The degree apprenticeship community fosters increased awareness of ESG principes, enriching knowledge about sustainable business strategies, and inspiring a cohort that is prepared to make positive contributions in their workplaces.
Almost half of Sheffield Hallam degree apprentices are from Yorkshire, and 45% are from communities where participation in higher education is lowest. This is not just a win for social mobility in the region, it means that highly skilled people are becoming part of the local economy, creating a diverse and well-trained workforce and supporting investment into our communities.
Calling all CEOs on their journeys to build entrepreneurial success, students of Sheffield Hallam want to hear the challenge, the achievements and most importantly the journey. Please get in touch with Ryan Simmons ryan.simmons@gxo.com, if you want to have an impact on the next generation of future leaders.
