BAE and JCB apprentices to advise Institute of Apprenticeships board

Daniel Skinner (BAE Systems) and Holly Broadhurst (JCB) are among 11 members of the apprentice panel.

The panel is made up of current and recent apprentices from a wide range of occupations and experiences from up and down the country. They will decide what issues to focus on and ensure the apprentice voice is heard within the decision-making structure of the Institute.

The Institute of Apprenticeships also announced that is has appointed chairs for ‘15 route panels’. Dr Graham Honeyman, chief executive at Sheffield Forgemasters, has been appointed as panel chair for engineering and manufacturing.

Route panels are responsible for setting the standards of knowledge, skills and behaviours needed by employers for every occupation in England, the Institute said. The chairs will lead their groups in reviewing and recommending apprenticeship standards and assessment plans and advising on funding levels on behalf of the institute.

Other appointments include: Tanja Smith, technical director at Gradon Architecture, as panel chair for construction, and Michelle Nolan-McSweeney, head of training strategy at Network Rail, as panel chair for transport and logistics.

Antony Jenkins, chair of the Institute for Apprenticeships, said: “I’m delighted to be able to formally announce these appointments. For our panel chairs we’ve got individuals of superb calibre - a dynamic mix of experts in their field from a broad range of occupations. Their expertise will ensure the panels are run smoothly and that quality will be maintained across the system.

“Our panel of apprentices is something I am particularly proud of - a deeply impressive group of individuals who will ensure the needs of apprentices are truly reflected in the development of the apprenticeship programme.”