Solent Freeport’s newest member of staff, Chloe Perman, is backing National Apprenticeship Week (NAW).
For Chloe, 22, who was appointed last month, is the organisation’s first apprentice employee.
Taking place from February 10-16, the week-long NAW celebration shines a light on the positive impact that apprenticeships make to individuals, businesses and the wider economy.

Portsmouth born and bred Chloe reports to Solent Freeport Business Growth & Investment Manager Carla Modley and provides administration support to senior colleagues.
She said: “I am really enjoying being an apprentice at Solent Freeport – it gives me the chance to combine salaried work with study.

“And training while working gives me hands-on experience, allowing me to put what I learn straight into practice. “I also get one day a week as study time which allows me to concentrate on working towards my qualifications through online modules and meet my apprenticeship coach every month.”

Chloe is studying for her Business Administrator Level 3 Apprenticeship qualification through Isle of Wight-based HTP Apprenticeship College.
She spends two days a week at Solent Freeport’s Lakeside North Harbour base, two days working or studying from home and one day at Portsmouth City Council which allows her to mix with other apprentices. She studied for her A levels at Portsmouth College before joining McDonald’s in the city, working her way up to a senior management position.

She said: “I decided it was time for a new challenge and discovered the Solent Freeport job. I’ve always liked figures and administration so it was a perfect fit.
“The reason I’m backing National Apprenticeship Week is because it is a great opportunity for young people to find out about vocational training and find their way into a new career.”
Chloe says she most enjoys research tasks and is responsible for uploading material to the Solent Freeport website.

Carla Modley said: “Chloe has fitted in with the Solent Freeport team seamlessly and is already an important member of the organisation.
“We were looking to take on an apprentice as part of our role of boosting the wider Solent area and this will add another qualified young person to the burgeoning talent pool across the region.
“It also helps dispel the thinking that apprentices have to be straight out of school. There is no age limit and I would encourage businesses to consider this route if they are looking for candidates with some work and life experience in the bank.”

NAW 2025 encourages everyone to consider and celebrate how apprenticeships and skills help individuals develop rewarding careers, and employers to develop a workforce with future-ready skills. The 18th annual celebration of apprenticeships and skills aims to inspire the nation with engaging stories of apprentice and learner progression – sharing their increased confidence, skills, knowledge and how such programmes have kick-started incredible careers.
It is the biggest week in the apprenticeships and skills calendar and brings together everyone passionate about apprenticeships and skills to celebrate the value, benefit and opportunity that they bring.

Department for Education key facts include:

• More than 700 apprenticeship standards across all levels.
• More than 80% employers and apprentices satisfied with their apprenticeships.
• 78% of employers reported improved productivity.
• More than 85% of learners are in good or outstanding (Ofsted) apprenticeship providers.
• 93% apprentices that achieve go into work or further training – 92% employment.

Latest available Government statistics show that in the 2023/24 academic year, there were 736,530 people participating in an apprenticeship in England, with 339,580 apprenticeship starts and 178,220 apprenticeship achievements.
Solent Freeport is one of eight areas of England that have been created by government to boost investment into parts of the country that have historically missed out, benefitting from a generous package of incentives.

It will enable the region to capitalise on its strengths in a highly competitive global market and ensure the unique geographic advantage of the region is maximised for UK plc. A strong track record of international trade through the Solent already evidences credentials as the nation’s global gateway.

Land earmarked for tax sites includes the Navigator Quarter near Southampton Airport, a development site in Southampton’s Western Docks, the Dunsbury Park business campus just north of Portsmouth, and locations along Southampton Water and the Fawley Waterside.
The main customs sites are Solent Gateway on Southampton Water and Portsmouth International Port.
 https://solentfreeport.com/
 https://naw.appawards.co.uk/