A new membership organisation has launched a survey to establish what apprentices are looking for as they continue to battle with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

Founded by the chair of the government’s Apprenticeship Ambassador Network, Jason Holt; former lord mayor of the City of London Sir Peter Estlin; and a co-founder of venture builder Blenheim Chalcot, Charles Mindenhall, last year, the Association of Apprentices is a not-for-profit organisation aiming to support apprentices in maximising their potential.

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The association will provide the social and broader elements that its directors feel are often missing from apprenticeship programmes.

Coronavirus: Apprentices ‘need more support’

Their survey comes as apprentices continue to face significant disruption to their employment and training due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The founders of the AoA said that meant additional support for apprentices was needed more than ever before, and that providing support networks and community would increase apprentices’ confidence and performance.

The survey, they added, would help the AoA identify the issues that matter most to apprentices. AoA inaugural chairman Sir Peter Estlin said “We want the association to be for apprentices but also by apprentices. So we want to canvass opinion from as many apprentices as possible to ensure we’re creating an organisation that works for them and meets their needs.”

To take part in the survey, visit www.associationofapprentices.org.uk