Apprenticeship campaign aims to fill hundreds of vacancies
A new campaign is being launched in Plymouth to encourage more young people to take up the hundreds of local apprenticeships that are still available.
The city has a reputation for delivering exceptional apprenticeships but despite there being more than 6,000 apprentices in Plymouth, there are still around 300 vacancies.
The 1000 Club has launched a campaign featuring talented local apprentices in different sectors and at varying stages in their journey as a way of highlighting the many and varied opportunities. Posters featuring these inspirational young people will soon appear across the city and on the Big Screen.
The local campaign comes ahead of Apprenticeship Week which takes place between 9 and 13 March.
Councillor Tudor Evans, Leader of Plymouth City Council, said: “Plymouth has a great track record for providing high quality apprenticeships but there are still hundreds of vacancies to be filled.
“Apprenticeships are a great way for young people to learn skills and give them the competitive edge in the jobs market, but also provide a great opportunity for local organisations to discover rising stars and benefit from the many talented young people that we have here in Plymouth. So it really is a win-win situation for all involved.”
Apprenticeships can take many routes. Chris, 22, an architectural assistant said “I joined Bailey Partnership as an Apprentice Trainee Architectural Technician after completing my GCSEs. The company supported me to gain additional qualifications which has enabled me to progress onto the BA Architecture Degree at Plymouth University. My future ambition is to continue to study to become a chartered architect.”
Stephen Jones of Bailey Partnership said: “Bailey Partnership is proud of its track record in developing young people into well rounded, professionally qualified ambassadors of the services that we provide. Our trainees have proved to us time and time again that they are truly capable of outstanding achievement, both academically and in the workplace. Our people are our strength and our trainees are our future; by investing in them we invest in a bright future for the Practice.”
The Skills Funding Agency estimates that a Higher Apprenticeship increases lifetime earnings by on average £150,000. But it’s not just the apprentices themselves who benefit – the Skills Funding Agency also says that the average apprentice who has completed their course increases business productivity by £241 per week.
The 1000 Club Campaign was set up to recruit 1000 companies in the Plymouth area to commit to support young people into employment, whether that be through work experience, apprenticeship, graduate internships or employment. The 1000 Club has a dedicated web page with all the information parents and young people will need when considering an apprenticeship.
The website includes a live vacancy feed, details of local training and apprenticeships, links to information from the National Apprenticeship Service, and other careers information. There are also profiles and video clips of young people talking about their own experiences of apprenticeships.
The programme for Apprenticeship Week is being finalised and includes The Plymouth Manufacturers Group Apprenticeship Recruitment Fair at Plymouth Guildhall in the City Centre on Saturday 7th March, and an Information Event for businesses held by PCC and the 1000 Club and supported by PCCI and CCP for businesses at the Construction School at lunchtime on City College Plymouth on 12th March. There will also be advisers and employers available all week in an advice hub in The Guildhall.
For further information visit www.1000club.co.uk
