During National Apprenticeship Week the National Apprenticeship Service in partnership with the Birmingham Post and a network of learning providers, colleges and employers, launched the Apprenticeship 100 in 100 Challenge, to make a difference to the lives of people and businesses in the Birmingham area.
The idea was simple – we needed more employers to come forward prepared to employ an apprentice, so that we could open the door for Birmingham people into the world of work, through an apprenticeship; allowing them to earn whilst they learn, and gain the qualifications and foundations for a bright career.
The challenge of 100 in 100 was a tall order, even for a city the size of Birmingham. But the businesses of Birmingham have answered our call and the campaign was doing so well that Alun Thorne, Editor of the Birmingham Post, upped the stakes and challenged Birmingham to aim for 200!
We ran employer success stories in the Post every week and dozens of companies contacted the National Apprenticeship Service saying they were looking to employ one or more apprentices. At the same time we received an endless stream of enquiries from young people ready to start work but who didn’t quite know how. We simply put the two together through our Apprenticeship vacancies matching service on the Apprenticeships.org.uk website.
We eventually succeeded in getting 131 companies to offer 509 apprenticeships – exceeding our milestone and helping young people have brighter prospects for the future. They are now working for large multinational organisations, local authorities, universities, family-run businesses and fledgling companies, in roles as diverse as accountancy, beauty therapy, youth work, plumbing, retail, butchery and car repair.
Karen Woodward, Regional Apprenticeship Director, National Apprenticeship Service West Midlands said: “This has been an exceptional campaign and underlines the true motive behind the challenge – to begin a shift in attitudes towards apprenticeships and help individuals and businesses feel the benefits they can bring. For businesses they are an efficient way of bringing enthusiastic people into their workforce, giving them the chance to invest in the future of their companies.”
She continued: “For young people just leaving school, they provide an opportunity to earn a wage, gain valuable experience of the world of work and, vitally, gain recognised qualifications that will stand them in good stead for the future.”
In these economically challenging times, with unemployment at about 2.5 million, the apprenticeship programme is a lifeline for all. The success of the Post’s campaign has been seized on far and wide.
During the Apprenticeship Challenge campaign, apprenticeships have been high on the Governments agenda, with an investment of 50,000 additional apprenticeships and David Willets’ plea for young people to consider apprenticeships as an alternative to university in light of the competition for places.
John Hayes, the Minister for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning, which includes Apprenticeships, said, “The Government is committed to increasing the number of Apprenticeships.
They provide the opportunity for people to earn while they learn, and the training opportunities they offer are key to supporting this country’s growth and success. I believe that apprenticeships should be the primary work-based learning route and this is why we have already secured an additional £150 million for 50,000 extra apprenticeship places this year”.
Karen Woodward, said, “I’m delighted that so many Birmingham employers have responded positively to the campaign and are seeing the business benefits Apprenticeships can bring to their business.”
She added: “Apprenticeships offer a cost effective way of recruiting and developing employees, the NAS can help to advise employers on support available to contribute to the costs of apprenticeship training in full or in part depending upon the age of the apprentice. The value of, and return on investment of undertaking an apprenticeship for both young people and adults alike, are substantial. Research undertaken on the benefits of an apprenticeship reinforces the critical importance that they play in enabling businesses to invest in their workforce and gain the significant returns on that investment through increased productivity, reduced costs and improved customer loyalty and staff retention.”
Apprenticeships truly are good for business!
Local employers who would like to find out more about employing an apprentice should call 08000 150 600 or check out the National Apprenticeship Service’s website www.apprenticeships.org.uk.
Apprenticeships are good for you – sign up today!
Looking for that fresh start or a change of career direction? An apprenticeship is the way to ensure that you start on that new career path!
The National Apprenticeship Service has around 937 new apprenticeship vacancies available in the West Midlands, of which around 186 are with businesses in Birmingham, so now is the time to take that important first step and apply for one of these vacancies.
The apprenticeships on offer include jobs in a wide range of occupations including Assistant Sauce Chef, Operations Development Apprentice, Apprentice Butcher, Care Assistant, IT Software Developer, Chef Apprentice, Apprentice Stylist, Trainee CAD Designer, Finance Assistant Apprentice and Apprentice Sales Executive. And there are some inspiring companies to work for who are all now looking to recruit apprentices and offer great new career opportunities to local people.
Karen Woodward, said: “We have some great opportunities on offer for keen and motivated individuals. It’s always really tough for people to get their foot on the career ladder, so apprenticeship vacancies is there to help. What better way to start 2011.
Applying is easy. You just go to the National Apprenticeship Services website www.apprenticeships.org.uk and register on Apprenticeship vacancies to apply for your new job.
“Apprenticeships are real jobs with quality training. They boost skills, provide qualifications and give the apprentice the chance for a fresh start.”
Susan Hateley from AFH Independent Advisors said: “We are currently looking to recruit an apprentice, it makes good business sense.
“By offering an apprenticeship opportunity we get a trained and skilled individual to support the future growth of our business and in return the apprentice gets the opportunity to start their career with us, earning while they are learning.”
To find out more about apprenticeships and to apply for any of the vacancies available, visit the website www.apprenticeships.org.uk and register on the Apprenticeship vacancies system.
Local employers who would like to find out more about employing an apprentice should call 08000 150 600 or check out the National Apprenticeship Service’s website www.apprenticeships.org.uk.
