Boosting apprenticeships in the region
The Leeds City Region Partnership (LEP) has secured GBP4.6m in government funding to increase apprenticeships in York and Leeds. The partnership aims to get 2,500 apprentices onto the workforce by 2016. The apprentices will be aged 16-24 and placed mainly in small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs).
An ‘Apprenticeship Hub’ will be implemented in York, which will inform businesses in the area about the benefits which come from hiring an apprentice. The City of York council will be working with the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) and York Training Providers Group to put the plans into action. The main actions will be to provide more information about apprenticeships to raise awareness, and a Business Development Officer will be appointed to meet with firms looking to hire an apprentice to discuss their options, costs, financial incentives, training providers, benefits and advertising for the position.
James Alexander, Council Leader and Vice Chair of the Leeds City Region Employment and Skills Board, said: “We’re absolutely delighted with this news. The council has long been a champion of apprenticeships as a way to help us tackle youth unemployment and reduce the number of young people not in education, employment or training (NEETs). But we also know that every £1 invested in apprenticeships generates £18 back to the economy and provides long lasting benefits for the business sector.
“These initiatives will help to ensure that young people in York who are keen to earn and learn will get quality opportunities across a range of industries and we will be able to match the best city talent to apprenticeships to support local businesses grow and prosper.”