Welcome to the May EMAAN Newsletter – Edition Three
- EMAAN Ambassador
- May 18
- 9 min read
 Welcome to our May EMAAN newsletter. As we move further into the year, this edition is all about momentum, connection and action. Across the East Midlands, Ambassadors continue to play a vital role in helping young people, employers and communities understand the power of apprenticeships and the opportunities they can create. This month, we’re sharing regional updates, new opportunities to get involved, and key activity taking place across the network. From supporting schools and careers events to strengthening employer engagement and championing real apprentice stories, there is so much positive work happening across EMAAN. May is also a great time to reflect on the impact we are building together. Every conversation, event, resource and shared experience helps to raise awareness, challenge misconceptions and open doors for others. Thank you for your continued commitment, energy and support. Your work as Ambassadors makes a real difference across our region, and we’re excited to keep building on that throughout May and beyond. |
Welcome to our New Apprentice - Vice Chair |
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Following a very competitive election process we have appointed a new Apprentice Vice-Chair Iqra Jaffary. "Hello, my name is Iqra Jaffary and I'm a former Level 3 Paralegal Apprentice and current Level 7 Solicitor Apprentice at Broxtowe Borough Council. I've had the pleasure of being part of EMAAN for 3 years now and been involved in some fantastic events including Skills for Life in London, participating in video case studies, collaborating with West Midlands AAN and hosting a stand at the NCSL fair and recently leading on our new podcast series. It has all been super fun, and I'm incredibly excited to work more closely with the leadership team to help EMAAN make an even bigger impact and have more exciting projects for you all to get involved in. I also lead EMAAN's I.D.E.A subgroup and look forward to working with our subgroup to create events and resources to showcase diversity in apprenticeships. Thank you for the leadership team for giving me this opportunity and I look forward to working with you all.In the meantime, if you had any suggestions of how EMAAN can make a greater impact and any projects to help the apprenticeship space, let us know!
Looking Ahead our targets for the next yearAs we move into the next phase of our journey, we are building on an incredibly strong foundation and looking ahead to another year of meaningful impact across the East Midlands. Our focus remains clear. We will continue to champion apprenticeships, increase awareness, and make sure young people, schools, colleges and employers have access to the information, inspiration and support they need. This year, we have new regional targets (TBC) to work towards, including:
These targets matter because they represent real people, real employers and real opportunities. Every school visit helps a young person understand the pathways available to them. Every conversation with an SME helps build confidence, remove barriers and support more employers to invest in apprenticeships. Together, we will be: Visiting schools and colleges across the region to inspire and inform young people about apprenticeship pathways Taking part in outreach activities and events that bring real apprentice and employer experiences into classrooms and communities Mentoring and supporting SMEs to help them better understand apprenticeships and feel confident in taking the next step Creating more opportunities for people across the East Midlands to see apprenticeships as a high-quality route into employment, progression and success To achieve this, we need the continued support of our Ambassadors. Whether you can attend a school event, share your story, speak to an employer, support an SME, or help promote opportunities through your own networks, your contribution will make a difference. There are already a number of exciting ways to get involved, which you can explore later in this newsletter. This year is about building momentum and making our impact even more visible. Every conversation, every visit and every connection helps shape futures and strengthen our region. |
Could you support an SME to start their apprenticeship journey? EMAAN is setting up a new SME mentoring programme to help more small and medium-sized employers feel confident in creating apprenticeship opportunities. We are looking for Ambassadors who have experience of setting up, managing or supporting apprenticeship programmes and would be willing to share their knowledge with other employers. Mentors will have the opportunity to:
Your experience could help an SME understand the process, overcome barriers and take their first step towards recruiting an apprentice. If you would like to support the programme and help more employers across the East Midlands invest in apprenticeships, please email us via the button below to become an SME mentor. Together, we can make apprenticeships more accessible for employers of all sizes. |
 Supporting the Armed Forces Community through apprenticeships For many people leaving the Armed Forces, the move into civilian employment is more than a career change. It is a major life transition, often involving a new identity, a new routine and a new sense of direction. The 5% Club – a national Skills Charity encouraging employers to offer more inclusive “all age, all level” workplace learning opportunities has created an Armed Forces Special Interest Group to help employers better support the wider Armed Forces community, including service leavers, reservists, cadets, spouses and families. Its aim is to bring employers together to share best practice, create stronger career pathways and make sure the skills gained through service are recognised and valued. This is where EMAAN members can make a real difference. Many service leavers already have strong transferable skills, including leadership, teamwork, discipline, resilience and problem-solving. Many have also completed training that gives them a strong foundation for further development. Apprenticeships can provide the bridge between military experience and civilian careers, helping individuals build confidence, gain recognised qualifications and progress into long-term employment. EMAAN members can support this work by looking at where their organisations could offer apprenticeship opportunities, work experience, mentoring, guaranteed interviews or flexible recruitment routes for members of the Armed Forces community. Employers can also strengthen their Armed Forces Covenant commitments, support reservists and cadet volunteers, and create more flexible roles for spouses and families whose careers may have been affected by military life. This is not just about filling vacancies. It is about recognising potential, opening doors and giving people who have served, or supported someone who serves, the chance to build their next chapter with confidence. A small change in employer practice could become a life-changing opportunity for someone else. EMAAN members are encouraged to take one practical step this month. Speak to your HR, recruitment or Leadership teams about how your organization could better support the Armed Forces community. This could include creating an apprenticeship pathway, offering work experience, reviewing your recruitment processes, signing or strengthening your Armed Forces Covenant commitment, or joining The 5% Club’s Armed Forces Special Interest Group to learn from other employers already leading this work. To find out more about The 5% Club Armed Forces Special Interest Group, check out their website or email them by pressing the buttons below. |
 Do you have a good news story to share? We know there is so much brilliant work happening across the East Midlands, and we want to hear about it. Whether you have supported a school event, mentored an SME, helped an apprentice take their next step, launched a new apprenticeship programme, achieved something exciting in your own journey, or seen a real impact through your organisation, please let us know. Your stories help us celebrate the people and employers making a difference across the region. They also help us show the real value of apprenticeships, inspire others to get involved and highlight the collective impact of the EMAAN network. No story is too small. Sometimes one conversation, one event, or one opportunity can make a lasting difference. If you have a good news story, achievement, event highlight or impact update you would like us to share, please get in touch. Let’s keep shining a light on the amazing work happening across our ambassador community. Click here to let us know about your good news story Be Featured on the EMAAN WebsiteWe are excited to continue building out our EMAAN website and would love to showcase more of you, our incredible ambassadors. This is your opportunity to share your story, highlight your impact, and raise your profile across the network and beyond. We are inviting both Apprentice Ambassadors and Employer Ambassadors to be featured. What we are looking forIf you are an Apprentice Ambassador, please share:
If you are an Employer Ambassador, please share:
What to include with your submission
Being featured is a great way to:
If you would like to be included, please send your details and images to the team via the button below. We cannot wait to share your stories. Click here to submit information for the website  Upcoming Opportunities to Get InvolvedAs we step into a new ambassador year, we have a wide range of school and college events coming up across the region. These opportunities are a fantastic way to represent EMAAN, inspire the next generation, and support employers and educators in understanding apprenticeships. If you would like to volunteer your time and get involved, please get in touch with the EMAAN team. May 202622 May, 10:00 – 14:00 – Nottingham College, Meet the Employer Careers Fair County: Nottinghamshire June 20262nd June – Colonel Frank Seely Academy, Year 12 Next Steps Event (can be done online) County: Nottinghamshire 16 June – The Becket School, Year 10 Mock Interviews County: Nottinghamshire 17 June – Tibshelf Community School, Personal Development Day County: Derbyshire 18 June – High Pavement Sixth Form, Careers Day County: Nottinghamshire 18 June – Broxtowe Borough Council, Employability & Volunteering Fair, Council Chamber County: Nottinghamshire 23 June – Bilborough College, Futures Week County: Nottinghamshire 25 June – The Pingle Academy, Year 10 World of Work Day County: Derbyshire 29 June – The Becket School, Year 12 Careers Carousel County: Nottinghamshire July 20262 July – Ivanhoe School, Careers Fair County: Leicestershire 3 July – The Minster School, Year 12 Progression Day County: Nottinghamshire 7 July – Carlton le Willows Academy, Careers Fair County: Nottinghamshire 7 July, 08:30 – 12:30 – Landau Forte College Derby, Year 12 Mock Interviews County: Derbyshire 7 July, 14:10 – 14:50 – Redhill Trust Academy, Apprenticeship Ambassador Talk and Q&A Session County: Nottinghamshire 10 July, 13:30 – 15:30 – Hope Valley College, Careers Fair County: Derbyshire 13 July – South Nottinghamshire Academy, Year 10 Careers Day County: Nottinghamshire 13 July – Outwood Academy Newbold, Mock Interviews County: Derbyshire 17 July – The Minster School, Year 10 Progression Event, Southwell County: Nottinghamshire 21 July – Nottingham Emmanuel School, Mock Interviews County: Nottinghamshire 21 July – Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School, Careers Day County: Derbyshire 21 July – Derby Cathedral School, Whole School Careers Day County: Derbyshire 21 July – Nottingham Academy, Mock Interview Day County: Nottinghamshire September 202622 September – Lancaster Academy, Careers Fair County: Leicestershire October 20265 October, 15:30 – 19:00 – Rushey Mead Academy Careers Fair County: Leicestershire 8 October, 17:00 – 19:30 – The Fernwood School, Careers Convention County: Nottinghamshire 13 October – Judge meadow Community College, College and Careers Fair County: Leicestershire November 202610 November, 12:40 – 16:30 – David Nieper Academy, Careers Fair County: Derbyshire Flexible OpportunitiesDavid Nieper Academy – Apprenticeship-focused assemblies (various dates, post-Easter to May half term) Get InvolvedWhether you can support a single event or multiple activities, your contribution makes a real difference. To volunteer for any of the above opportunities, please contact the EMAAN team. Let’s continue to inspire, support and create opportunities together. Email us here to sign up to one of the outreach event A Final WordBefore we close, we just want to take a moment to say thank you. You are an incredible community. The energy, commitment and passion you bring to EMAAN does not go unnoticed, and it is what makes this network so special. Thank you for continuing to stay engaged, show up, and make a difference across the region. We would also love to hear more from you. If you have any stories, milestones or events you would like us to feature, please do share them with us. From graduations and completions to new apprenticeship starts, promotions, events or standout ambassador activity, we want to celebrate it all. Let’s continue to shine a light on the amazing work happening across our network. |
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