As Whyy? Change swiftly approaches its 10th anniversary in January 2025, we’re looking back on a year of growth, expansion and professional development in 2024.
Before we get into the numbers, here are some of the key moments from within the education sector in 2024.
Year in Education 2024
In 2024 we saw Artificial Intelligence (AI) continue to dominate the headlines, with an array of new applications and AI tools filling the marketplace. The announcement of a new Prime Minister, with Keir Starmer and the Labour party introducing a new Growth and Skills Levy, which aims to transform the Apprenticeship Levy into a more flexible Growth and Skills Levy by investing £40million to help deliver new foundation and shorter apprenticeships in key sectors.
2024 also saw independent training providers, like us, increase the market share of apprenticeship starts last year, now delivering over two-thirds (66.7 per cent). With only a third being delivered by Further Education and specialist colleges, this highlights the impact local training providers are having on upskilling the region’s employees through apprenticeships.
Wow, what a year 2024 was for apprenticeship training providers and the education!
It’s now time we looked back on our own business, let’s discover the all-important numbers behind Whyy? Change’s success in 2024…
Whyy? Change’s Year in Numbers 2024
Apprenticeship off-the-job hours logged – 16,700
In 2024, apprentices at Whyy? Change logged an impressive 16,700 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, 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.
Pass rate – 92% (at first attempt)
Apprenticeship Success (completed) EPA’s – 27
In 2023 we supported 17 apprentices, this year we’ve supported 27 apprentices from start to finish through their apprenticeship and End Point Assessment (EPA). With 2025 on the horizon, we look forward to supporting many more apprentices on their professional development journey.
Onboarded apprentices – 49
Throughout 2024 we’ve had the pleasure of welcoming 49 incredible apprentices through our doors at the AESSEAL New York Stadium in Rotherham. That’s 49 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.
No. Learners in 2024 – Commercial – 98
We didn’t stop there, 98 learners joined us to enhance their knowledge on a host of short courses which included; CMI Leadership Award, Project Management, Risk Management, Lean and Six Sigma Yellow & Green Belt, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001 and Internal Auditing training.
Total Learners – 147
Last year we onboarded 118 learners. In 2024, together, we have supported the development of 147 learners from over 50 different business upskilling learners and transforming the businesses in the region through accredited training, apprenticeships and short courses is what we do. Thank you to all the brilliant businesses who have given your employees the chance to further enhance their skillset and support their professional development.
New Staff – 2
This year we continued to grow, welcoming two new members to the team. In April, Greg Grabski joined the team to deliver our Lean & Six Sigma Yellow Belt, Lean & Six Sigma Green Belt courses and Continuous Improvement Apprenticeships.
A few months later, Rachel Ovens joined us as our new Head of Marketing Programmes Tutor to deliver our Level 3 Multi-Channel Marketer Apprenticeship, Level 4 Marketing Executive Apprenticeship and CIM’s brand new Level 4 Digital Marketing Awards.
Books Purchased – 55
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, QHSE, coaching and an assortment of biographies from business leaders. In 2024, we purchased 55 news books to add to our growing library which currently stands at of over 200 books.
Events Hosted -1
This year, we hosted our second-ever Operational Excellence event at the AESSEAL New York Stadium in October. The idea behind the Operational Excellence Meetup was to bring together like-minded professionals and manufacturing industry leaders from across South Yorkshire, to share how Lean & Six Sigma, and Quality HSE can transform their businesses. Thank you to everyone who attended, delivered a keynote or sponsored the event, we look forward to seeing you at future OPEX events. Join us at the next Operational Excellence Meetup Workshop in March 2025.
Cups of Tea Consumed – 9500
The number you’ve all been waiting for… In 2024, we consumed approximately 9,500 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 2025 goal of consuming 10,000 cups of tea.
Blog Articles – 13
The communications team were busy this year, crafting 13 blog articles (14 if you include this one) to shout about our new appointments, top tips, apprentice insights and award nominations and commendations in the ‘News of the Day’ feed.
Awards – 4
Talking of awards, in 2024 we were named as finalists on 4 occasions, including being highly commended for the prestigious title of Training Provider of the Year at the South Yorkshire Apprenticeship awards, coming a close second to Sheffield Hallam University.
We can now officially call ourselves an ‘Award Winning’ training provider after clinching the ‘Knowledge is Power Award’ at Ask Zoe Small Business Awards, which recognises small businesses in the learning, development, and educational space who are giving back on an educational basis to enhance skills, employment, and development in Yorkshire.
We were also shortlisted for, The OG: Business of the Year award at Ask Zoe Small Business Awards, which showcases a business that has overcome adversity this year and grown their business for the better.
Not to mention, our very own, Anne Wilson MBE, Head of Business Growth & Leadership Programmes, was also been shortlisted for The Business Champion at the Ask Zoe Small Business Awards, which recognises an individual who champions your business, sometimes over their own.
Guest Speakers – 10
In 2024 we welcomed 10 brilliant keynote speakers to share their industry insights and expertise covering topics on: HR legislation, SEO, cashflow forecasting, apprenticeship portfolios, analytics, copywriting and 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 who are tied to a strict curriculum. If you’d like to share your wisdom, 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 – 2,673
Shoutout to our day one followers, loyal supporters and to those of you who have followed us this year, to all 2,673 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.
If you aren’t already following us, check us out on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
What else is new…
In 2024, we launched the highly anticipated, revised CMI Level 3 Team Leader Apprenticeship and the CMI Level 5 Operations Manager Apprenticeship standards, which replaces the Level 3 Team Leader / Supervisor Apprenticeship and the Level 5 Operations / Departmental Manager Apprenticeship. We’re incredibly excited to deliver this revised leadership apprenticeship standard.
Next year, we’ve also got a number of apprenticeship courses starting which include:
The CMI Level 3, 5 and 7 Leadership apprenticeship cohorts starting delivered by the wonderful 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 cohorts starting in May and November.
Without forgetting our Level 3 Multi-Channel Marketer Apprenticeship cohorts starting in April and September 2025, with our Continuous Improvement Apprenticeship starting in March 2025.
Are you ready to make a difference to your business and grow your people in 2025?
With 2025 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.
