Young apprentice joins Solihull Employment and Skills Board
A young apprentice and award winner has recently been appointed to the Solihull Employment and Skills Board, further cementing her position as a key figure in advocating for apprenticeships and young people in education.
Santina Bunting (pictured), a Civil Engineering assistant technician and level 6 degree apprentice at Arup, was appointed to the board recently, following her success at the Greater Birmingham Young Professional of the Year Awards where she was crowned Greater Birmingham Young Professional of the Year.
Santina was recommended for the board position by head of Solihull Chamber of Commerce, Samantha Frampton. She said: “When the board were looking for new members, Santina immediately came to mind. She had just been crowned the Greater Birmingham Young Professional of the Year and had previously spoken at a Solihull conference sharing her experience and insight as an apprentice. I am pleased that she has accepted the position and I look forward to working with her.”
Being a resident of Solihull herself, Santina is keen to continue her journey of advocating for the youth perspective in skills and education to help make a real difference. She said: "As an apprentice, I’m grateful for the daily opportunities to develop both my technical and soft skills, which I know will be key to my long-term success. However, I recognize that not everyone has access to the same opportunities for growth.
“By joining this board, I hope to represent the youth perspective and work towards making a real difference, collaborating with Solihull stakeholders to drive tangible change. I firmly believe that through effective collaboration and embracing diverse viewpoints, we can shape and build the next generation of a skilled workforce."
Will Shepherd, chair of Solihull Employment and Skills Board and the CEO of Cohesion, said: “I’m thrilled to welcome Santina to the board. Her success validates the importance of early career development strategies for businesses. The board is a strong group of key stakeholders including employers and training providers, with the aim of achieving better outcomes for both the current and future workforce in the borough. Santina will be the voice of young professionals and work collaboratively to address the borough’s employment and skills priorities by sharing her experiences and expertise. I have no doubt that Santina will bring invaluable insights to the board.”
Solihull Employment and Skills Board welcomes new members from selected sectors who are keen to make a positive impact on skills and employment priorities in the borough. If you are interested in taking part, please email Leeanne Parker from Solihull Council’s Employment and Skills Team (leeanne.parker@solihull.gov.uk) or Will (Will.Shepherd@cohesionrecruitment.com).
