The fourth annual National Apprenticeship Week launches on Monday, with over 500 events taking place across the UK, celebrating Apprenticeships and the impact they have had on individuals and the business community.
In the North West, more than 100 events and activities are taking place from Skills Challenges, Business Breakfasts, Opening Evenings and charity football matches.
The events and activities throughout the week have been organised by employers, learning providers, skills organisations and the National Apprenticeship Service to highlight the significant growth taking place in Apprenticeships.
Figures released in the last few weeks show that record levels of people started on an Apprenticeship last year.
In England, 279,700 people choose this route to start their career, which is a significant increase on the previous year. In the North West, 47,280 people started an Apprenticeship in 2009/10 which is a 10,750 (22.7%) increase from the previous year.
The increase in individuals starting an Apprenticeship is matched by a record number of Apprenticeships being achieved which was up by 19.6% on the previous year highlighting the increasing quality of the candidates and Apprenticeship programmes. In the North West numbers also went up with 26,930 Apprenticeships completed.
Apprenticeships are at the heart of the Government’s skills strategy, with an increase in funding in 2011-12 to over £1.4bn, sufficient to train over 300,000 apprentices of all ages.
Skills Minister John Hayes said: "The government is backing apprenticeships because we want local business and communities to prosper, and young people to learn the skills that build successful careers.
"I know that businesses that want to get ahead will do the same."
Regional Director for the National Apprenticeship Service in the North West, Sue Price, said: “Day after day we hear how much Apprenticeships have increased productivity, improved loyalty and given a great return on investment for companies. Apprenticeship Week is the time to celebrate these successes – and urge more companies to reap the benefits for themselves and more individuals to consider Apprenticeships as their career option.”
A full list of North West events can be found in the Apprenticeship Week section on the Apprenticeship website www.apprenticeships.org.uk
Game, set and match for Medicash
(Thu 17/05)
Unique hospitality venue launched
(Mon 14/05)
Post a comment