First4Skills is first training provider to get full NUS membership

First4Skills has become the first national training provider to be accredited with full membership status by the National Union of Students (NUS).

The news was announced at the NUS National Conference in Liverpool in April.

The Liverpool-based national training organisation is committed to creating opportunities for learners and to driving apprenticeship growth nationally, to respond to employer needs and deliver responsive and high quality provision.

First4Skills works to empower learners to contribute to the decision-making process and to develop new skills that will support them outside their apprenticeship programme.

Saskia Jamieson, Head of Quality at First4Skills, said:

“We were very proud to attend the recent NUS conference in Liverpool where we became
the first training provider to be accepted with full NUS membership.

“This is a significant step to putting apprentices on the map alongside further and higher education and we are looking forward to continuing to work alongside NUS and National Society of Apprentices (NSoA) to continue the promotion of apprenticeships within the workplace.”

TNT Post Apprentice Nathan Wedlin said:

"It was great for apprentices to be a part of the NUS and I hope there will be more of us there to represent First4Skills next year. It was also great to interact with the NSoA (National Society of Apprentices) and speak with and for them at a separate event at the conference.”

Fujitsu Apprentice Ben Hughes said:

“I was pleased to have attended the NUS National Conference in Liverpool. Whilst I was there I got to meet with members of the NSoA, share my apprenticeship experiences as well as that of others and contribute to the discussions. I have received a lot of support and encouragement from my employer and First4Skills.”

NUS vice president Raechel Mattey said:

“I’m so pleased that First4Skills has received full membership status to NUS and will be supporting the National Society of Apprentices (NSoA). The society is dedicated to bettering the lives of apprentices, so having one of the largest training providers on board and helping us spread our message is really positive.

“Since National Apprentice Week we have had over 100 training providers sign up, representing over 100,000 apprentices. The society is the perfect way to celebrate apprenticeships and the positive impact they have on individuals, businesses and the wider economy.

“NUS understands the importance of strong representation and having a voice to shape the environment. Never before has anyone listened to the views of apprentices at a national level, until now. For the first time ever, apprentices will have a voice.”