Southampton signs up for apprentice campaign

1 Febuary 2011

Sign up to the campaign and help 100 into a career

Venue: De Vere Grand Harbour Hotel, 5 West Quay Road, Southampton, SO15 1AG
Date: Friday 11th February 2011
Time: 8.00am - 10.00am
Free Breakfast Launch

The National Apprenticeship Service and the Daily Echo are launching a new campaign that challenges Southampton based employers to find 100 new apprenticeship places in 100 days.
Apprenticeships offer young people a chance to start their career by learning a new skill and gaining a recognised qualification. They also earn a wage whilst completing their training.
Employers benefit from gaining employees who are trained to industry standards and bring loyalty, productivity and creative thinking to their business.

There’s no doubt that trained staff give businesses a competitive edge. The challenge now is to provide more opportunity for young people looking for their first job by finding 100 new places. The 100 challenge is being supported by Southampton City Council, Business Link, Hampshire Chamber of Commerce, Business Southampton, JobCentre Plus, and local training providers SETA, Southampton City College, Eastleigh College, Totton College, ATL, Babcock, Brockenhurst College, Icon Training, JTL, Outsource Training, Smart Training, Sparsholt College and HTP.

Rachel McKellar, National Apprenticeship Service Director said, ‘Southampton employers have reaped the benefit of apprentices for many years but we are keen to increase the number of apprenticeship places offered to young people in particular. It can be hard to get that first job, an apprenticeship offers the chance to learn a skill from scratch and gain a qualification. Many employers are still under the myth that apprentices only work in traditional trades, but there are over 200 different job roles offered as Apprenticeships including marketing, business administration and customer service. These are skills that every business needs to grow and prosper. ‘

Councillor Paul Holmes, Southampton City Council’s cabinet member for Children’s Services and Learning, said “Apprenticeships are thriving in Southampton. At Southampton City Council we’ve already seen the benefits that apprentices bring to the organisation – fresh ideas, enthusiasm, energy and creativity. Businesses across the city took on nearly 596 apprentices last year (compared to 397 in 2009, an increase of 50.1 per cent - almost double the south east regional average increase of 25.6 per cent) and it is hoped more will rise to the challenge of creating a further 100 this year.”

Taking on an apprentice is not as difficult as you might think. If you’re thinking of recruiting for a new position then why not take part in this challenge and offer the place to an apprentice. The National Apprenticeship Service will talk through the options with you and put you in touch with local training providers.

To find out more about apprenticeships and how you can take part in the Southampton 100 Challenge, employers are invited to a business breakfast hosted by the De Vere Grand Harbour Hotel, on Friday 11th February at 8.00am. Local employers will talk about their experiences and there will be an opportunity to talk to local training providers and representatives from the National Apprenticeship Service.

To reserve your place: call 01489 558643 or email Malcolm.wright@apprenticeships.gov.uk

For more information about Apprenticeships: visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk or call 08000 150 600