30/01/2012 - Permalink

Event shares benefits of offering apprenticeships

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The benefits of offering places to apprentices were shared with more than 70 employers at a Shropshire Council-led event. 

The successful event was part of a joint effort across the county to highlight the expanding range of opportunities for employers to take on apprentices at all levels.  Shropshire Council has joined forces with the National Apprenticeship Service, Shropshire Business Board and other training organisations with the aim of filling 100 new Shropshire apprenticeship vacancies in 100 days. 

Employers were invited to the event at The Guildhall in Shrewsbury, on Monday 30 January 2012, for information and advice on providing apprenticeships. The employers’ event was held ahead of National Apprenticeship Week, which runs from 6 to 10 February 2012, and included: 

  • A welcome from Councillor Cecilia Motley, Cabinet member for education and skills.
  • Sara Hollyhead, head of employer accounts at the National Apprenticeship Service, giving an overview of the 100 in 100 days campaign.
  • Employer representatives explaining the benefits of having apprentices.
  • Apprentices sharing their experience.
  • A chance to network with other employers and see how easy and effective it is to take on an apprentice. 

Councillor Cecilia Motley, Cabinet member for education and skills, said:

“We are working closely with the National Apprenticeship Service as part of the 100 in 100 days campaign, in a bid to increase youth employment and skills.  It was particularly inspiring to hear from apprentices of their own positive experiences gained from apprenticeships, and to hear from employers how much their apprentices are valued in the workplace. 

“We organised the event for employers from across Shropshire interested in taking on apprentices to find out more about how this could help their business and how they can help young people embark on a rewarding career.”  

The National Apprenticeship Service focuses on increasing the number of apprentices in England and, as part of the Government’s skills and economic growth strategy, more money than ever before has been invested to make additional apprenticeship places available. 

For more information on apprenticeships go to shropshire.gov.uk/apprenticeships.nsf