The theme for National Apprenticeship Week 2025 is ‘Skills For Life’, and this is certainly a good fit with the ethos at RBLI (Royal British Legion Industries).
One of its veterans, Steve Blakemore, a former member of The Royal Logistic Corps, starts an apprenticeship next week. Steve has held several key roles in his time with RBLI: he has been with the charity for more than a decade, and is currently a Metal Shop team leader with Britain’s Bravest Manufacturing Company (BBMC), the social enterprise factory which makes many of the nation’s road and rail signs.
This new apprenticeship, run in partnership with IPS International, a leading provider of commercial training across the south-east region, will allow Steve to develop expertise in all aspects of RBLI’s manufacturing business, including computer design, printing, laminating and the full process of making signs, from first proofs to finished product.
He will still be carrying out his team leader role, with his training taking place at least one day a week across a two-year programme.
Steve said he was looking forward to this exciting new chapter, both for himself and for the charity.
“I didn’t think, at the age of 33, that I would be doing an apprenticeship: I thought the chance had probably gone,” he said.
“But this shows that apprenticeships can be started later in a career, and in my case I now have an excellent opportunity to learn new skills and, ultimately, to enhance my own performance as a team leader. In time, I will be able to give advice on every part of the operation, help out everywhere and train other staff, and I can’t wait to get going from next week.”
Steve also says his apprenticeship has arrived at a good time, given RBLI’s ambitious plans for opening a new factory at its Aylesford headquarters. The brand new facility could enable RBLI to recruit a further 80 staff, while the proposals also include a training and conference centre and a hands-on skills academy for veterans.
National Apprenticeship Week runs between Monday 10 and Sunday 16 February, and serves to highlight the positive impact that apprenticeships make to individuals, businesses and the wider economy.
