A new event is on its way to Yeovil in the New Year and it’s one that those in the business world can all get involved in.
There’s been much hoo-hah about apprenticeships in the last 3 years since David Cameron’s pledge to get 3 million young people into an apprenticeship by 2020. Sadly, we are not quite there yet with under 19’s representing only 26% of apprentices taken on nationally in the last year – the majority taking them up are over 25 at nearly 44%.
The Apprenticeship Exchange is designed to help local business, local students and local wannabe apprentices get in touch with the college, the training provider or the business.
With the Government’s new levy on big business there is more choice than ever and demand is growing. We need to signpost as much as possible to these young people that there is another route other than University – they can earn while they learn.
So how do we get young people interested? And how do we get through the paperwork and the most of all how do we fund it?
With the new apprenticeship levy that is being imposed on big business, SME’s up and down the country have an opportunity to tap into those funds and create their apprentices without any cash input at all for under 19’s and those of us with less than 50 employees.
Getting involved with all the partners on hand to discuss an individual’s needs, network business to business and listen to speakers as the day progresses will give all parties a clearer view of what’s on offer and how they can get involved.
Next Generation Somerset is playing a big role in the Apprenticeship Exchange with all their partners exhibiting. The Awards up and coming in the Spring will add another tool to highlight and outline the fantastic programmes that are on offer for apprentices in Somerset and hopefully we will see our young people get on and get hired as they come to the end of their education.
If you would like more details about how you can have a stand at the event, be a speaker on the day or have interesting and uplifting apprenticeship experiences then please do email: ineed@workwife.co.uk or call 0146074159 for more details.
