As Whyy? Change rapidly approaches its 9th anniversary in January 2024, we’re looking back on a year of growth, expansion and professional development in 2023.
Before we look back on our year in numbers, here are some of the key moments from within the education sector in 2023.
Year in Education 2023
In 2023 we saw the rise of ChatGPT, the announcement of UCAS’s new apprenticeship service and the arrival of the apprenticeship providers and assessment register (APAR), the education sector is keeping pace.
In a year filled with AI, there’s no surprise to see that the keyword ‘ChatGPT’ was searched over 21.6 million times per month and according to Google, it was internationally the most searched for phrase this year with a 2,000 per cent increase in search volume in 2023.
On the 1st of August 2023, the government’s Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers (RoATP) and the Register of EPAOs (RoEPAO) was replaced by the new Apprenticeship Providers and Assessment Register (APAR) was born.
In October 2023, UCAS officially added apprenticeship vacancies to its website, which is a massive step forward in elevating apprenticeships and providing students access to an alternative route to further their education. This shift comes as the demand for high-quality apprenticeships has increased amongst employers and their need to fill critical skills shortages.
Wow, what a year 2023 was for apprenticeship training providers and the education sector!
It’s now time we looked back on our own business, let’s discover the all-important numbers behind Whyy? Change’s success in 2023…
Whyy? Change’s Year in Numbers 2023
Apprenticeship off-the-job hours logged – 16,440
In 2023, apprentices at Whyy? Change logged an impressive 16,440 apprenticeship off-the-job hours!
You might be wondering what this is… simply put in, order to be eligible for apprenticeship funding, full-time apprentices (who work 30 hours per week or more) must spend a minimum of 6 hours per week on off-the-job training over the apprenticeship. This is defined as any activity that is not part of an apprentice’s day-to-day role which supports their apprenticeship training. For example; (training sessions at Whyy?, watching webinars, role-playing, and learning journal).
Distinction rate – 64%
We’re super pleased to share that this year our brilliant apprentices and tutors have collectively achieved a distinction rate of 64%! With the national average distinction rate of 38%, we’re all very proud to be leading the way for apprenticeship distinctions in South Yorkshire.
Apprenticeship EPA Completions – 17
This year we’ve supported 17 apprentices from start to finish through their apprenticeship and End Point Assessment (EPA). With 2024 on the horizon, we look forward to supporting many more apprentices on their professional development journey.
Onboarded Apprentices – 51
Throughout 2023 we’ve had the pleasure of welcoming 51 incredible apprentices through our doors at the AESSEAL New York Stadium in Rotherham. That’s 51 apprentices who have been given the opportunity to develop a host of new skills, knowledge and behaviours on our range of apprenticeship courses designed to transform businesses.
Commercial Learners – 67
https://www.whyychange.com/quality-and-hse/qual9-quality-management/We didn’t stop there, 67 learners joined us to enhance their knowledge on a host of short courses which included; CMI (Chartered Management Institute) Leadership Award, CMI Coaching and Mentoring Award, Lean and Six Sigma Yellow/Green Belt, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001 and Internal Auditing training.
Total Learners – 118
Together, we have supported the development of 118 learners from over 20 different business upskilling learners and transformed the businesses in the region through accredited training, apprenticeships and short courses is what we do. Thank you to all the brilliant businesses that have given your employees the chance to further enhance their skills and support their professional development.
New Staff – 2
This year we continued to grow, welcoming two new members to the team. In June, Claire Taylor-Foster joined us as our new Leadership tutor to deliver our Level 3 CMI Leadership courses and Level 3 Team Leader Supervisor Apprenticeship programmes. Later this year, Jeanette was hired as a marketing tutor for our Level 6 Marketing courses and the Level 6 Marketing Manager apprenticeship.
Books Purchased – 50
To support our learners and apprentices, not only do they receive student memberships to their relevant chartered body, but they also get access to a well-stocked library full of books, covering; leadership, marketing, Lean & Six Sigma, HR, coaching and an assortment of biographies from business leaders. In 2023, we purchased 50 new books to add to our growing library which currently stands at over 150 books.
Cups of Tea Consumed – 8400
The number you’ve all been waiting for… In 2023, we consumed an impressive 8,400 cups of tea, as you can tell the team loves a good brew! Pop in for a cuppa when you’re next in Rotherham and help us hit our 2024 goal of consuming 10,000 cups of tea.
Blog Articles – 17
The communications team were busy this year, crafting 17 blog articles (18 if you include this one) to shout about our new appointments, top tips, apprentice insights and award nominations in the ‘News of the Day’ feed.
Awards Shortlisted for – 6
Talking of awards, in 2023 we were named as finalists on 6 occasions, including two national awards at the OAL Awards for SME Training Provider of the Year, with Managing Director, Emma Harrison also shortlisted for Level 4+ Apprentice of the Year. At the South Yorkshire Apprenticeship Awards, the team were finalists for Higher Apprentice of the Year, Degree Apprentice of the Year and Technology & Digital Apprentice of the Year as well as the prestigious award of Training Provider of the Year. Matt Trueman, our Head of Comms was crowned as South Yorkshire’s Technology & Digital Apprentice of the Year, a huge achievement which recognises his commitment to professional development.
Guest Speakers – 7
In 2023 we welcomed 7 brilliant keynote speakers to share their industry insights and expertise covering topics on SEO, creating a niche, personal development, analytics, and copywriting. content marketing. We put the learner experience first to provide the latest trends and insights from the region’s finest minds, this sets us apart from traditional universities which are tied to a strict curriculum. If you’d like to share your wisdom, and try your hand at teaching whilst raising your profile as a keynote speaker, get in touch, we’re always on the lookout for industry experts!
Total Followers – 2,135
Shoutout to our day one followers, loyal supporters and to those of you who have followed us this year, to all 2,135 of you, thank you for your continuous support.
To our most recent followers, welcome! We hope to bring you educational, informative and entertaining content about Apprenticeships, HR, Leadership, Marketing, Quality HSE and Lean & Six Sigma training.
What else is new…
In 2023, we relocated from our office in Sheffield to our shiny new office situated at the AESSEAL New York Stadium in Rotherham, home to Rotherham United Football Club and now Whyy? Change.
We have also just launched the brand-new Level 3 Multi-Channel Marketing Apprenticeship, which replaces the Level 3 Digital Marketer Apprenticeship. We’re incredibly excited to be one of the first providers in South Yorkshire to offer this brand-new marketing apprenticeship standard.
Next year, we’ve also got an array of apprenticeship courses starting which include:
The CMI Level 3, 5 and 7 Leadership apprenticeship cohorts starting delivered by the wonderful Claire Taylor Foster and the lovely Anne Wilson, who will be delivering the Level 7 Senior Leader Apprenticeship course.
We also have CIPD Level 3 HR Support and CIPD Level 5 People Professional apprenticeship cohorts starting in January and a Level 4 Quality Practitioner Apprenticeship cohort starting in May.
Are you ready to make a difference in your business and grow your people in 2024?
With 2024 on the horizon, have you considered apprenticeship training as part of your people development plan? Want to know more? Fill out the form below and a member of the team will be in touch.
