Days after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced a new higher-level learning target for young people, Dame Irene Hays met with the Education Secretary as she shared more details with senior business leaders.

On Friday 3 October, members representing influential companies across the region attended the North East Chamber of Commerce’s annual 1815 lunch – a nod to its founding year – in a packed suite at the Stadium of Light.

In her keynote address, The Rt Hon Bridget Philliipson MP detailed a package of reforms that will ensure young people have the skills that they and businesses need to thrive.

First announced at the Labour Party Conference, these include a newly introduced target for two-thirds of young people to participate in higher-level learning by age 25 – via academic, technical or apprenticeship routes.

Dame Irene Hays said: “We have a long history of welcoming apprentices into our business and supporting them to thrive and reach their full potential.

"We know the value of nurturing young people who are enthusiastic to learn while they earn and are pleased to see that the Government recognises that, while academia has its place, it’s not the answer for all young people or all businesses.

“We are immensely proud that some of our most senior team began their careers as apprentices, including our Chief Operating Officer. Apprentices bring innovation and fresh new ideas to our business.”

Hays Travel is an accredited training provider with more than 600 apprentices based in branches across the UK and in departments at its Sunderland head office.

Its apprenticeship programme was rated Good overall by Ofsted at its most recent inspection in July 2023 and ‘outstanding’ in ‘personal development’ and ‘behaviour and attitudes’.

The programme supports the learning and development of apprentices aged 16 and above as they gain valuable salaried work experience in a Hays Travel retail branch or at the company’s Head Office in Sunderland.

Dame Irene Hays added: “We provide ongoing learning, development and progression opportunities for our people that enable them to reach their full potential.

"Investing in our apprentices is a key part of that commitment to our people, as well as to delivering exceptional customer services, and supporting our communities.”