Radio Host and DJ Matty Chiabi Teams Up with National Skills Campaign to Help Young People ‘Get the Jump’ on Their Next Step.

Radio host and DJ Matty Chiabi kicks off the first film in an England-wide content tour today, as part of the latest Skills for Life campaign, ‘Get the Jump‘, to help thousands of 14-19 year-olds with their education and training choices at Post-16 and Post-18.

The content tour, launching during National Apprenticeship Week, will shine a light on five young people who, following their GCSEs, have taken a range of routes, such as studying for a T Level, moving forward with an apprenticeship, progressing to a degree apprenticeship or taking up a Higher Technical Qualification (HTQ).

The aim is to inspire young people who are considering their next step by showing them where each of the available routes could lead.

Matty will kick off the tour by visiting Martha Smith, a student based in London studying for a level 6 degree apprenticeship.

She works at WSP, one of the UK’s leading engineering and environmental professional services consultancies as an Undergraduate Environmental Consultant.

In the short film released on both Matty’s and the Department for Education’s social channels, Matty meets with Martha at one of WSP’s offices in London to find out about her day-to-day role, why she chose a degree apprenticeship and what makes it right for her, as well as what she would say to young people thinking about their next step.

Matty Chiabi said, “I’m very excited to be supporting this campaign to help young people understand what their choices are when it comes to their education and training at post-16 and post-18. There are so many routes to take now, way more than when I was that age, which is amazing, but more young people need to be aware of them!”

“They have the opportunity to choose a path that feels right for them and not just go down a route that feels similar to others if they feel that wouldn’t suit them.”

“I’d really encourage anyone thinking about their next steps to do their research –choices don’t have to be daunting if you have all the right information in front of you!”

Martha, who is 19 years old, said, “I’m in my second of a five-year degree apprenticeship, and I’ve never looked back.”

“I’m passionate about sustainability and the environment, and ever since I had the opportunity to do an Extended Project Qualification on sustainable town planning at A level, I wanted to build these themes into my next move.”

“I knew that a training route that was really practical would suit me too, however, I know how valuable a degree can be. I decided to study for the apprenticeship because it offers me the best of both worlds – a qualification at degree level while also learning from professionals in the workplace.”

“My apprenticeship allows me to rotate between different environmental disciplines, giving me a good understanding of the various paths I could take when my apprenticeship ends. It’s really insightful and hands on, and it’s giving me invaluable experience.”

“For any young people making decisions about their next steps, I would encourage them to look at all the options available and pick a path that feels most suited to them and the things that make them tick.”

Education Secretary, Gillian Keegan said,“My apprenticeship was my golden ticket. It gave me a unique insight into how a business operated, from the shop floor to the boardroom. I learnt the skills that businesses truly value and it launched my career in international business.”

“This National Apprenticeship Week, I hope more people learn about the incredible opportunities available in everything from engineering to accountancy, healthcare to gaming software development. Whatever career goals you aspire to, they can be achieved through an apprenticeship which go up to Masters degree level.”

Across the next month, four further videos will be released to showcase other young people’s stories and routes for Post-16 and Post-18 education and training, including T Levels, apprenticeships and Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs).

‘Get the Jump’ is part of the Skills for Life campaign and helps young people aged 14-19 explore their education and training choices, including T Levels, apprenticeships and Higher Technical Qualifications.

Different routes include:

Combine work and study:

• Apprenticeships (age: 16 and over)
• T Levels (age: 16 – 19)
• Traineeships (age: 16 – 24)
• Vocational Technical Qualifications (VTQs) (age: 16 and over)

Study:

• Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs) (age: 18 and over)
• A levels (age: 16 and over)
• Higher education (age: 16 and over)

Work:

• Supported internships if you have an education, health and care plan (age: 16 – 24)
• School leaver schemes (18 and over)

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Interview with Ray and Martha: