Employers urged to join The Apprentice Revolution
A major campaign launched last week aims to create 300 new Apprenticeships across Manchester in the next 100 days.
Join The Apprentice Revolution, run by Manchester City Council and the National Apprenticeship Service, highlights the benefits apprentices bring to businesses of all sizes and from all sectors.
Apprentices, who follow a work programme designed around their employer's needs while working towards a nationally-recognised qualification, can be new or existing employees of any age. More than 200 different Apprenticeships are available, ranging from plumbing to creative and digital media. Apprenticeships are increasingly seen by young people as an attractive way to start and progress their careers.
The government meet the full cost of training for apprentices aged 16-18 and up to 50 per cent if the apprentice is 19 or over. A £1,500 incentive for small firms who take on their first-ever apprentice in 2012/13 was also announced last week by the government.
The council has recently recruited 132 apprentices into roles ranging from social care to highways maintenance. These apprentices, drawn from young people and workless residents from across the city, will develop the skills and experience to become the heart of the council's future workforce.
Deputy council leader, Councillor Sue Murphy, said, "We want to ensure that all Manchester businesses are aware of the benefits of taking on apprentices, who have the potential to become the skilled workers they need to grow and thrive. Apprentices offer talent, energy and value for money to their employers and will help to create a stronger economy in Manchester in the future."
Sue Price, Divisional Apprenticeship Director (Northern) of the National Apprenticeship Service, said, "By agreeing to take on an apprentice, employers are not only supporting their local community, they are also making a good business decision to grow their own talented workforce."
Manchester construction solutions company Laing O'Rourke will create 66 new Apprenticeships through the Manchester Town Hall Complex Transformation scheme, in areas including steelwork, joinery and specialist restoration work.