Robert Halfon 

Patron

Patron of the Ladder for Staffordshire, the former Minister of State (Education) is a leading figure on schools, training and apprenticeships in the UK. He is a former Member of Parliament for Essex constituency Harlow and the villages.

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Rob Colbourne OBE

Performance Through People

Founder member of the Ladder Foundation who has played a leading role in the Ladder for Staffordshire as Managing Director of award-winning private training provider PTP, which has its HQ in Walsall.

A well-respected ambassador for apprenticeships across the West Midlands, Rob is a winner of the AAC National Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Development of Apprenticeships and represents Providers on numerous Skills Boards. 

Gill Durkin

Ladder Apprenticeship Manager

Helping businesses to recruit and up-skill their workforce through apprenticeships and training, Gill is the lead facilitator for the Ladder for Staffordshire.

Having played a leading part in the Ladder for Birmingham and Ladder for Black Country campaigns, Gill is a well known figure in the region’s business circles. Adept at aligning candidates with training providers and employers, she is integral to the Ladder’s success.

Staffordshire County Council

The local authority is a key partner in the Ladder campaign, encouraging education and employment opportunities across the county to deliver effective training and upskilling.

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Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce

Crowned Chamber of the Year 2021 at the British Chambers of Commerce Chamber Awards, the Chambers of Commerce for the county encourage employers and training providers to engage with the Ladder campaign to upskill local talent.

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Stoke-on-Trent City Council

The local authority is a Ladder supporter, promoting the apprenticeship brand to the local community. As a unitary authority, Stoke-on-Trent City Council has the powers and functions of both a non-metropolitan county and district council combined.

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Reach

Reach is Britain’s largest regional news publisher, along with the parent company for popular national titles such as the Mirror, Express and People. Reach publishes digital and print titles across Staffordshire, engaging with thousands of people every day.

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Midland News Association

Part of the National World group, the MNA reaches one million people every week in print and online. The MNA remains a leading trusted source of news and information for Staffordshire, the Black Country and Shropshire.

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