100 apprenticeships in 100 days

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worcesterWednesday, May 11, 2011


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Wednesday, Ma100 APPRENTICESHIPS IN 100 DAYS

FOR THE LATEST NEWS AND UPDATES ABOUT THE 100 IN 100 APPRENTICESHIPS CAMPAIGN GO TO WORCESTER NEWS.CO.UK/100

THERE are so many real,bottom line businessbenefits from employingapprentices that KarenWoodward,

apprenticeship director for theWest Midlands, cant understandwhy every employer in the regionwouldnt want to do it.

She said: Some people thinkapprenticeships are a thing of thepast but, at a time when cuts arebeing made elsewhere, businessesof all sizes and the Governmentbelieve that apprentices will play avital role in economic recovery andstability.

The Government has committedmore than 1.3 billion every year toincrease the availability of trainingfor more apprentices.

We have a number ofapprenticeship vacancies on our

website but we need even moreemployers to rise to thisapprenticeship challenge and helpWorcestershire people, especiallyyoung adults, to start on a newcareer path.

For employers an apprentice willbring real business benefits thatmore than repays any investmentin skills and will contribute to thelocal economy. So apprenticeshipsdo matter to employers,individuals and the country.

Apprenticeships are no longer thedomain of the young. They areavailable to all ages, both new andexisting employees.

Mrs Woodward said:Apprenticeships play a criticalrole in the development ofadvanced skills and they provideboth a route into employment forpeople, especially the young, and a

great opportunity to boost theproductivity of existing employees.

They provide real, measurablebusiness benefits for employersand they support productive,enthusiastic and loyal people intoan organisation, demonstrating anemployers true commitment to askilled workforce, to theircustomers and suppliers.

The National ApprenticeshipService in the West Midlands isfocused on working with a network

of quality-assured trainingproviders to help introduceapprentices into and acrossbusiness, and helping to convertexisting staff into apprentices.

An apprenticeship provides aperfect combination of on and off-the-job training; working tonationally recognisedqualifications and we alsocontribute towards the costs.

For young people anapprenticeship ensures that theyget a good start in developing realskills. In 2009 there were more than240,000 apprentices who begantheir careers on the programme.

Mrs Woodward said:Apprenticeships train people inthe skills employers want and theyare a great way to start andprogress in a career, equippingapprentices with the skills andexperience they need but alsoproviding the opportunity to studya qualification valued byemployers.

The National ApprenticeshipService has a simple applicationssystem called ApprenticeshipVacancies, so potential apprentices

can browse, search and apply forvacancies online to find their idealjob.

Currently there are 82 vacanciesin Worcestershire and 45 inHerefordshire.

Apprenticeships are rewardingfor people of all ages but inparticular for young adults and canoffer three levels for those aged 16and over.Apprenticeships (equivalent tofive good GCSE passes):Apprentices work towards work-based learning qualifications such

as an NVQ level two, key skillsand, in some cases, a relevantknowledge-based qualificationsuch as a BTEC.Advanced apprenticeships(equivalent to two A-level passes):Advanced apprentices worktowards work-based learningqualifications such as NVQ levelthree, key skills and, in most cases,a relevant knowledge basedcertificate such as a BTEC.Higher Apprenticeships:Apprentices work towards work-based learning qualifications such

as NVQ level four and,cases, a knowledge-basqualification such as a degree, which can leadeducation.

The majority of apprsuccessfully complete tapprenticeship programcent in 2008/09 an impout of 10 remain in empenter further training atheir apprenticeship pr

Those with an AdvanApprenticeship earn an

TURN TO PAGE 4

Apprenticeships arent a thinof the past theyre the futurThe Government values the importance of apprentices. It is committing more than 1.3 billion a year so that more can be

STAKE IN THE FUTURE: The Government and businesses of all sizes believe that apprentices play a vital role in the countrys economic

100 per cent apprenticeshiptraining funded by Governmentfor 16 to 18 year-olds and asubstantial contribution for adultapprentices.

Support for the induction andtraining of new recruits and alsothe chance to up-skill or re-skill afirms existing workforce to meetthe changing needs of industry.

Support to recruit. There is a

free, national recruitment servicededicated to finding the bestcandidate for your company.

More than 200 apprenticeshiptraining frameworks from nursingto graphic design, horticulture toelectric vehicle engineering andwhich cover a significant numberof different job roles.

A return on investment. Manyapprentices make a significant pay

back on the investmenthem. The return on Ginvestment for apprenworks out at about 40of Government fundin

Employers pay the snational minimum waapprentices under 19 ihour (increasing to 2in October 2011), althoemployers choose to p

WHATS ON OFFER FROM AN APPRENTICESHIP

COMMITTED: Karen Woodward.

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Wednesday, May 11, 2011

PERSHORE College offerstraining and educationfor businesses andindividuals across theland-based industries.

These include horticulture(production, amenity, parks,grounds and open spaces andsports turf), arboriculture,floristry, animal welfare,veterinary nursing, agriculture,equine, environmentalconservation, food and drink andmotor vehicle. The college alsooffers training in areas of IT,management and first aid.

Pershore College which ispart of Warwickshire College runs a very successfulapprenticeship programmewhere students can study for anaverage of one day a week andspend the rest of their time in the

work place.Alternative programmes

include work-based training andblock release.

These schemes are great forbusinesses because a companyhas the chance to train itsapprentices in its own ethos,

receive government funding fortraining the apprentice (limitdepending on age) and seeproductivity improve as a result.

The majority ofapprenticeships include two freecompetency certificates for theapprentice (often saving 100s)including a first aid certificate.

As the apprentice is still intraining the business is notobliged to pay the minimumwage, although the collegeencourages businesses to initiateincentive schemes.

Pershore College has aspecialist employer responsiveteam dedicated to creating theright training package for eachbusinesses.

The college is committed tofinding solutions for businesseslarge and small, from delivering

bespoke training on companypremises for smaller firms whomay have just two or threeemployees and are in need ofsomething bespoke to cateringfor their niche market.

Whatever a companyscircumstances, the college will

try to deliver what works best for

that it and will provide onemember of its team to work witha company to find out exactlywhat it wants and so ensure thecollege delivers the best serviceit can.

Laura Stewart, deliverymanager, said: By choosing an

apprentice with Persh

you can ensure you arhands.

We will guide you eof the way to make suryou find not only the rmember of staff but thapprenticeship prograworks for you.

Our training will bgreat for your firmPershore College

Company

Business type

Established

Delivery manager

Telephone

Website

E-mail

Location

Training and education

1949

Laura Stewart

01926 318261

warwickshire.ac.uk

[email protected]

Pershore College,Avonbank, Pershore,Worcestershire WR10 3JP

TRPAStaPeCopaWaCorunsucproforap

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FROM PAGE 2

about 100,000 more over theirlifetime than those with aqualification at level two or below.

Apprenticeships offer a minimumwage which is 2.50 an hour but theaverage wage is 170 per week.They also offer quality training. Atage 18, 87 per cent of apprenticesthought that the quality of trainingthey received was good or verygood.

The National ApprenticeshipService in the West Midlands has ateam dedicated to working withemployers to look at the individualbusiness needs and howapprenticeships can add value tothe bottom line.

An independent study carried outby the University of WarwickInstitute for EmploymentResearch demonstrated that

apprenticeships are a goodinvestment for employers andwhere the investment is nurtured,the returns to the employer aresignificant.The study concluded that: The costs of apprenticeship

training is recouped relativelyquickly. Apprentices provide a pool ofskilled people to select from forfuture promotion, Apprentices are seen as loyal,more likely to stay with a companyand steeped in company values andbusinesses across the country areincreasingly realising the

enormous benefits thatapprenticeships bring: A highly skilled workforce 83 per cent of employers whoemploy apprentices rely on theirapprenticeship programmes toprovide the skilled workers that

they need for the future. A boost to productivity,profitability, efficiency and staffretention. Eighty per cent of thosewho employ apprentices agree thatthey make the workplace moreproductive. A loyal and hardworkingworkforce that help businessesgrow. Eight-eight per cent ofemployers who employ apprenticesbelieve that apprenticeships lead toa more motivated and satisfiedworkforce. Credibility. Eighty-one per centof consumers would prefer to use acompany that employs apprentices. New ideas and innovation to abusiness.

To find out more about howapprenticeships can benefit yourbusiness, contact the NationalApprenticeship Service on 08000

150600 or visitapprenticeships.org.uk

If you would like to find out moreabout apprenticeships andinvestigate what is available thengo to apprenticeships.org.uk.

VOCATIONALtraining groupATL isencouragingbusinesses to get

behind a national drive tocreate moreapprenticeships, saying itcan bring lasting benefitsfor employers.

The company is backingthe 100 in 100 campaign,which aims to create 100apprenticeships in 100days. As well asgeneratingapprenticeships thecampaign aims toencourage localbusinesses and youngpeople to take a fresh lookat the benefits andopportunities thatapprenticeships can bring.

ATL is one of the UKsleading providers ofbuilding services training,with more than 5,000students a year passingthrough its nationwidenetwork of training

centres. The firm operatesa large purpose-builttraining centre inHartlebury, nearKidderminster, offeringtraining in a range oftrades, includingplumbing, heating andventilation, electrical, gasand building controls.

Nick Hayward,managing director, said:Apprenticeships are soimportant for industry

and for ensurthe skilled anexperienced twe need in th

Were encobusinesses to positive, longbenefits than apprentice caThey can becoto a company f

ATL has an reputation antrack record aspecialist traiprovider offer

choice of tradcourses. Its trbeen praised band every couby ATL leads recognised skprofessional q

The provisioprofessional, hand innovativsolutions has the forefront otraining in thalmost 20 yea

Benefit to econom

Team dedicated tohelping businesses

ATL

Company

Business type

Established

Managing director

Telephone

Website

E-mail

Location

Vocational trainer

1992

Nick Hayward

01299 251033/0800 9753026

apprenticeshiptraining.co.uk

[email protected]

Unit 288,Hartlebury Trading Estate,Hartlebury, near Kidderminster,Worcestershire DY10 4JB

SKILLS: ATL a

WORKFORCE: Apprentices provide the country with a pool of sk



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WORCESTERCollege ofTechnology is oneof the largesttraining providers

within Worcestershire andHerefordshire.

It has a proven track record inproviding training to a wide rangeof local, regional and nationalemployers and understands thatbusinesses today have manychallenges new technologies,ageing workforces, globalcompetition and a move from askills economy towards aknowledge economy.

For any manager or director,identifying ways to develop theprogress towards a successfulfuture is key.

With tougher competition,economic uncertainty and high

customer expectations, the need tocontinually develop, innovate andsustain a workforce is crucial to afirms success and six out of 10employers say they rely onapprentices to give them theskilled workers which they needfor the future.

The right training solutions canbring many benefits to anyorganisation. Apprenticeships areestablished qualifications whichwill bring value to a business,whether delivered to new orexisting employees.

Worcester College of Technologyhas more than 265 apprentices oncourses delivering programmes tomore than 147 organisations withsuccess rates that are higher thanthe national average forintermediate and advancedapprenticeship frameworks. It also

has flexible delivery models wheretraining can be delivered at thecollege or in the workplace.

Worcester College of Technologydelivers more than 45 differentapprenticeship frameworks at theintermediate, advanced and higherlevel covering a wide range ofvocational sectors.

These include construction,business and administration,hospitality, health and social care,hairdressing, children and youngpeoples workforce, supportingteaching and learning, industrialapplications, warehousing, teamleading and management.

Worcester College of TechnologySolutions can help companies tofind employees who will fit into

their organisation, become anintegral part of a workforce andhelp meet specific future businessneeds.

Linda Thornton, training andquality manager for FirstPersonnel, said: Using theNational Apprenticeship Servicewebsite to advertiseourapprenticeship vacancy was astress-free means of our finding asuitable candidate, enhanced bythe fact that we now have such avaluable employee.

By working with WorcesterCollege of Technology employerswill be raising the profile of theirorganisation by recruiting ortraining members of staff who arecommitted to their particular

business, committed to land committed to perfor

Sarah Baldwin, humanmanager at the Morgan MCompany in Malvern Linpassionately believes thapprentices are integral development of the busi

She said: Apprenticesprogrammes support theon of knowledge and skiwe have to retain withinbusiness to maintain lon

Apprentices also injectenthusiasm and increasemotivation into the work

Ian Tinsley from HairSKidderminster, said: Emapprentices is a great infor the future of my busi

College ishelping to

lift profile

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THE NationalApprenticeship Service(NAS) was established torespond to theGovernments ambition

for apprenticeships.Launched in April 2009, it was set

up to work directly with employersand support learners so morepeople would benefit from highquality apprenticeshipopportunities.

The NAS delivers these ambitionsby helping employers to introduceapprentices into their business orup-skill or re-skill existing staffthrough apprenticeship training.

It connects employers to qualityassured training providers bestable to deliver the rightapprenticeship training and itoffers a free service to employers toadvertise their vacancies

nationally through apprenticeshipvacancies on-line.

The NAS recognises thatapprenticeships can play a vitalrole in enabling people to developthe skills they need to becomemore mobile in the labour market.

It uses its apprenticeshipsvacancies on-line service as thetool to connect those looking for ajob to what is available.

Karen Woodward, regionalapprenticeship director, said: Weare committed to doing thisregardless of age. It is vital if we

are to create real job opportunitiesthrough apprenticeships for thosecurrently out of work.

It is clear that young peoplemust make themselves morecompetitive in an ever increasingglobal and higher skilled labour

market and can useapprenticeships as an importantpathway into higher level skillstraining and higher education.

Apprenticeships offer a cost-effective way of recruiting anddeveloping employees and the NAScan help to advise employers onsupport available to contribute tothe costs of apprenticeship trainingin full or in part depending uponthe age of the apprentice.

Mrs Woodward said: The valueof, and return on investment ofundertaking an apprenticeship forboth young people and adults alike,are substantial.

Research undertaken on thebenefits of an apprenticeshipreinforces the critical importancethat they play in enablingbusinesses to invest in theirworkforce and gain the significant

returns on that investmentthrough increased productivity,reduced costs and improvedcustomer loyalty and staffretention.

Apprenticeships truly are goodfor business.

Were working tohelp firms succeed

FUTURE: The National Apprenticeship Service says it is vitareal job opportunities by training people who are currently o

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YOUNG people andbusinesses ready to makethe most ofapprenticeshipopportunities need look

no further than Worcestershire.The county is aiming for a 22 per

cent increase in the number ofyoung people entering theapprenticeships programme by2012-13.

Worcestershire County Council isplaying a key role by working withpartners to increase theavailability of apprenticeships,raising their profile and evenholding a special event to really getthe ball rolling.

The principles of apprenticeshipsperfectly complement the councilsoverall goal of helpingWorcestershire to be open forbusiness. Skilled employees are

vital to the local economy. Thecouncils vision for apprenticeshipsis that they will raise theaspirations of the countys youngpeople, its communities and itsworkforce.

Worcestershire County Council is

working with some of its majorsuppliers and contractors such asRingway to encourage them torecruit more apprentices. Theefforts are also being made toharness the councils and itspartners purchasing power as partof the future procurement policy toaddress jobs and skills issues inWorcestershire.

Last year, the Governmentannounced an increase in adultapprenticeships funding of up to250 million by 2014-15. It expectsthere to be 218,000 16-18 year olds inapprenticeships in the currentyear, including more than 131,000new starts. This is continuing togrow at national level,demonstrating that employersvalue apprenticeships and thebenefits they bring to businesses.

Worcestershire has also seen an

increase in the number of localpeople starting apprenticeships.

In 2009-10, 1,764 young peopleaged 16 to 18 were recruited asapprentices and the numbers roseby a further 11 per cent in 2010/11.The county councils ambition is to

increase this by another 22 per centby 2012-13.

Worcestershire County Council isworking with its partners todevelop a WorcestershireApprenticeship Strategy. Theprinciples are expected to be: Extending the reach ofapprenticeships to those on themargins of learning and work Establishing apprenticeships asa popular and highly regardinglearning pathway Increasing the range ofapprenticeships available in thecounty, with a specific focus uponthe main employment sectors.

By all working together thecounty will be better-placed todeliver real opportunities for localpeople and businesses.

A showcase event called The RealApprentice is to take place at

Worcestershire County Councilsheadquarters on Tuesday, May 17.

Young people who could benefitfrom an apprenticeship in the nextfew years have been invited to findout more about the opportunities,along with their parents or carers.

The aim is to encourage schoolleavers to consider the manythousands of apprenticeship placesavailable to them as part of thecouncil's drive to get more youngpeople into employment withtraining.

At the event expert trainingproviders, employers, colleges andsuccessful apprentices will be onto provide advice and information

about the options open tpeople.

The Real Apprentice isorganised in partnershipHerefordshire, WorcesteShropshire Training ProAssociation and the BlacTraining Group.

For more information aapprenticeship opportunapprenticeships.org.uk.

Its vital to have

skilled workers

PLANNING FOR SUCCESSFUL FUTURE : Worcestershire Counis working hard to increase the number of apprenticeships in

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Like Ben, it could all systems go for y

S

KILLS for Security,based in BarbourneRoad, Worcester, is theskills organisation for

the private securityindustry.

It has run a successfulapprenticeship scheme for theelectronic security and firesystems industry for a numberof years and consistentlydelivers high achievement ratesat both level two (nowintermediate) and the levelthree (advanced)apprenticeship.

One of the many successstories is Ben Mitchell, nowaged 28 and running his ownsecurity systems installationcompany in Hereford.

He also works as an assessorfor the scheme and is currentlycompleting his City & Guilds7303 teaching qualification.This will enable him to pass onhis skills and knowledge to thenext generation of apprentices.

Mr Mitchell said: At 18 I hadno idea what I wanted to do fora living.

I knew that I had a stronginterest in electronics andengineering but also wanted toget out into the big wide worldand work.

I joined a local securitycompany as an apprenticeengineer and was soon offered aplace on the Skills for Security

scheme. It allowed me to learnthe theory at college but workwith other engineers onsite andget paid at the same time.

I found my apprenticeship to

be hugely rewarding and, with astrong determination to succeed,I worked my way to become avalued and experiencedengineer. I completed my NVQlevel three within three yearsand in just a short space of timestarted earning more andtaking on more responsibility.

I have now enjoyed 10 yearsworking in the securityindustry and because I am aqualified engineer there iscertainly no shortage of options

available. I continuand learn new skillno doubt that myapprenticeship gavesolid base I needed t

career and drive myDavid Greer, SkillSecuritys chief exe

We are working wNational ApprenticService to help younfind worthwhile carsecurity industry.

We need employeboth the systems anguarding sectors toapprentices today adevelop the Ben Mittomorrow.

S1BbaehhssicH

THE concept of the 100 in

100 campaign is simple to generate 100apprenticeshipplacements in

Worcestershire businesses within100 days.

The National ApprenticeshipService is working in partnershipwith your Worcester News and keyorganisations, such as Skills forSecurity, Worcestershire CountyCouncil and the Herefordshire &Worcestershire Chamber ofCommerce, to provide more jobsfor apprentices.

Together they hope to encourageemployers, learning providers andpartners to influence the businesscommunity to increase the numberof apprenticeship vacancies and toto raise the profile of what isavailable to people who want tobecaome an apprentice. .

The 100 in 100 campaign benefitsthe business community and youngpeople providing positive messagesto the community and benefitingthe local economy by: Giving school leavers their first

step on to the jobs ladder.

Supporting young people intoeducation and a life-long career. Providing tools for businesses togrow their workforce and increaseproductivity.

Karen Woodward, regionaldirector for the NAS, said:Apprenticeships bringconsiderable value to employers,individuals and the economy as awhole. In an increasinglycompetitive world no business canafford not to invest in training andapprenticeships are one of thebestandmost cost effectiveways foremployers to grow their owntalent.

That is why we are driving the100 in 100 campaign, workingalongside partners to ensure thatmore organisations across allsectors and industries can have theopportunity to enjoy the businessbenefits that employingapprentices can bring.

Tomorrow, Frances Roberts,Worcestershire employer services

manager for the NationalApprenticeship Service, will be the

guest speaker at a breakfast

meeting that is being organised byHerefordshire & WorcestershireChamber of Commerce.

She passionately believes thatwhen apprentices are recruitedcorrectly meeting the particularneeds of a business, enabling thatbusiness to grow and mould itsworkforce then they are a hugeasset.

Mrs Roberts will be talking aboutthe 100 in 100 campaign, howWorcestershires is unique to theothers taking place in the Midlandsand its objective of engaging with100 new employers within 100 days.

The breakfast meeting is beingheld at the Abbey Hotel, AbbeyRoad, Malvern.

Anyone who wooul like to goalong, or would like moreinformation, should contact thechamber of commerce on 08456411520.

To find out more about the 100 in100 campaign contact the NationalApprenticeship Service on 08000150600 or go toworcesternews.co.uk/100.

Campaign aims toprovide more jobs

BACKING CAMPAIGN: Andrea Borwell-Fox of Malvern-basedwith apprentices Patrick Graham and Bradley Smith. Sto

SMILE: Apprentices, employers and trainers in Worcester. Sto



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Wednesday, May 11, 2011 100 APPRENTICESHIPS IN 100 DAYS


APPRENTICESHIPSreally do make adifference to yourbusiness. This hascertainly been the case

for Charlotte Spreadbury who isemployed at the Stourport ManorHotel, Stourport-on-Severn, whereshe completed her apprenticeship.

Before, Miss Spreadbury hadworked in various retail outlets,and like many people of her agewas unsure of the career path shewanted to follow.

Having heard that informationabout apprenticeships andvacancies were available on theNational Apprenticeship Servicewebsite, she began to find out moreabout what was involved and evenapplied for positions in which shewas interetsed.

One of the vacancies was for a

receptionist at the StourportManor Hotel and it was advertisedin partnership with HIT Training.

Miss Spreadbury was contactedby HIT to discuss the positionbefore being invited for aninterview.

After impressing in interviewswith both the hotel and HITTraining, she was delighted to beoffered a position on theapprenticeship programme.

One year later and Miss

Spreadbury has excelled andrecently achieving her level twoapprenticeship in front of housereception.

She said: The apprenticeship hasbeen a brilliant opportunity. I have

learnt so many new skills relevantto my job. The training has reallyhelped me be more aware of myrole in the team and as myconfidence has grown Ive beengiven more responsibility.

Like all of the vocationoffered by HIT, Miss Sprapprenticeship was carrthe workplace with expesupport provided by her

She said: Jo, my assesbeen a really great help dapprenticeship. She has and encouraged me thro

I am looking forward with Jo and HIT Traininfuture when I start my lcustomer service appren

Patrick Jones, general at Stourport Manor HoteThe training and develoCharlotte has completedbenefit to the team with there to see in the skills knowledge she uses ever

HIT Training has beenthroughout the apprentiassisting us to get the ri

apprentice for the hotel supporting Charlotte allthrough to the achievemapprenticeship.

Our working togetherbeen a positive experienparties.

Charlotte has a successfucareer thanks to training

BEGINNING OF ASUCCESSFUL CAREER,Charlotte Spreadbury,left, with Patrick Jones,manager of theStourport Manor Hotel,Stourport-on-Severn.Charlotte recentlyachieved her level twoapprenticeship in frontof house reception withthe help of HIT Training.

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MANY companiesthroughoutWorcestershire knowthe value of taking onan apprentice.Browns,

one of Worcesters best-knownrestaurants, has pledged to offerfive apprenticeship placements aspart the 100 in 100 campaign.

Based in Quay Street, therestaurant is currently undergoinga major refurbishment and it plansto take on the five apprenticeswhen it reopens this month.

The apprenticeships it is offeringinclude chefs and front of house

opportunities which have beenadvertised through the NationalApprenticeships ServiceRecruitment website.

Browns Restaurant has beensupported throughout itsrecruitment process by HIT

Hospitality Industry Training anational training providerspecialising in the hospitality andcatering industry.

It will be delivering the trainingand assessment for the apprenticesonce they have been recruited.

Jane Denby, business and salesmanager at Browns, has beenreally happy with the relationshipbetween the restaurant and HIT.She said: This is a symbioticrelationship between our twocompanies offering a qualityservice through the hospitalityindustry to maximise training

standards and product offering inWorcestershire.

Phillip Kelly, HIT trainer andassessor, said: We have beenworking with Browns for a numberof years. It is committed to trainingand developing the skills within

the kitchen, working with excitingand challenging menus and ispassionate about developing localpeoples skills within their excitingand expanding ventures.

Since 1962, when Worcesterpioneered domestic oil-firedboilers, Bosch Thermotechnologyscommitment to excellence hasntchanged.

hat commitment has onlystrengthened since the companybecame part of the Bosch Group one of the worlds leading names inhigh-end technology.

Today, the company employs

more than 2,000 people at itsheadquarters and manufacturingplants in Worcester and ClayCross, Derbyshire. Bosch believesthat apprentices provide thecompany with committed andtechnically competent associates

with the focus and determinationto deliver world class service.

Meanwhile Ringway, based atSixways, Worcester, is part ofEurovi Europes leader inhighway infrastructure.

Its apprenticeship scheme isessential to the future of thecompany by providing a platformto harness fresh talent and producehighly qualified individuals whocontinually develop and learn newskills while mastering the complexoperations of Ringways contracts.

In Malvern, Borwell is aninnovative IT company providing

leading edge consultancy, websites, web apps, iPhone apps,custom software, databasesolutions and packaged softwaresolutions.

Based at Malvern Hills SciencePark, it currently employs four IT

graduates and two IT aThe team is very creaticapable, helping businautomate their processworkflow.

Bradley Smith and PaGraham joined the expsoftware company in S2010 and attend Worcesof Technology to contitraining.

Director Andrea Borwsaid: We advertised a one IT apprentice last swere really impressed wnumber and quality of

Bradley and Patrick inexceptionally well and decide between them aand experience were veso we hired them both.

They are already woTURN TO PAGE 14

Big benefitsin taking on

apprentices

Were so committeJacks our apprenti

N

EW College isWorcestershiresonly BeaconCollege, with adedicated business

development unit (unique skillspeople) based at the HigherEducation and Business Centre,Osprey House, Redditch.

The committed team worksclosely with a wide range ofbusinesses acrossWorcestershire, Herefordshire,Shropshire, Warwickshire andSouth Birmingham.

The colleges Centre ofExcellence for Motor VehicleEngineering continues todemonstrate the value ofapprenticeships by not onlytraining many of the regionsapprentices but also employingan apprentice themselves.

Seventeen year-old Jack Deavsis the most recent youngster tosecure an apprenticeship that

will see him work and train atthe prestigious Harley-DavidsonUniversity which is based atNEW College.

Having already completed ayear as a full-time student Jackis keen to follow in the footstepsof some of NEW Colleges otheralumni, who have made thesuccessful transition fromstudent, to apprentice and on tofull-time employment.

Although Jack has onlyrecently started his new job he

already feels the apprenticeship

has exceeded his expectations.He said: Its great. Thetechnology available is amazingand my ambition is to one dayachieve master technicianstatus which is the topqualification available fromHarley-Davidson.

Dave White, a tutor at theHarley-Davidson University,said: Jack is a typical youngman. He cannot believe his luckand despite being a littleoverwhelmed to begin with he

is a good listener an

the right questions,certain that he will excel as an apprentiambassador for bothDavidson and NEW

Automotive technone of the areas whCollege seeks to mayoung students withand rewarding empopportunities with astaff constantly talkemployers about thapprenticeships.

BENEFITS: NEW College offers many opportunities to

SKILLS: Apprenticeand trainers at AMSBack row, from leftHibbert, USP; DavidHR director of OaklaInternational and CWCT. Front row, froMichelle Griffin, MGAamir Kayani, WorcCounty Council; KaLedgister, NEW ColWalton, HR manageInternational; ChloeNEW College appre

Roberts, NAS; JakeAMS apprentice; Jimmanaging director ACharlotte Morrey anRobinson, both appat AMS.



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EQUIPPING todaysworkforce with the skillsneeded to meet thedemands of tomorrow isone of the most important

factors in ensuring anorganisations future success.

Sanctuary Group, one of thecountrys leading housing and careproviders, understands this onlytoo well. The organisation ownsand manages more than 78,000homes and units of accommodationacross the UK and gearing up forits projected future is a keybusiness objective.

The secret to Sanctuarys successlies in its commitment to nurturingthe potential of existing andpotential employees. With morethan 7,000 staff in a variety of roles more than 500 located in thecompanys Worcester offices

Sanctuary has grown to become asignificant national and localemployer. It is committed tocreating employment and trainingopportunities within thecommunities it serves. Forexample, the group has its ownaccredited NVQ centres and asuccessful apprenticeship scheme,which was recognised when it wonthe Apprentice Employer Awardfrom the Worcester Group TrainingAssociation.

Established in 2007, Sanctuarysapprenticeship scheme offersyoung people the chance to study

for practical qualifications whilegaining a strong grounding in aparticular aspect of the business.Programmes are up and running inseveral areas, including finance,IT, business administration, healthand social care, housing,

maintenance operations andhorticulture.

To date, Sanctuary employs 85apprentices across the country, 48directly and 37 indirectly throughpartnership arrangements with thegroups development contractors.

David Bennett, Sanctuary Groupchief executive, said:Apprenticeships are of a realbenefit to the organisation as itequips us with the skill sets andexpertise we need for futuredevelopments. But apprenticeships

are also good for individuals asthey allow people to earn whilethey learn and provide ameaningful career path withgenuine prospects.

Sanctuary has many apprenticeswho have gone on to secure

permanent full-time positions.Jay Lawson-Pearce, a former

apprentice at its office inWorcester, became interested inapprenticeships when looking foropportunities that combined part-time study with paid work

experience. His apprentiSanctuarys human resohas led him to gain NVQqualifications in businesadministration and custservice and go on to secupermanent role as HR as

Mr Lawson-Pearce saistarted my apprenticeshthan some but, having acompleted another full-tI felt more mature and acommit to something I kwanted to do.

Skills arethe key to

our future

JOBS: Sanctuary apprentices from the groups maintenance operations programme undergoing colleg

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Theres an apprenticeship fowhatever your chosen caree

SUCCESS: Alice Russell, right, has been taken on as an apprentice at Browns Restaurant in Worcester. Picturedwith her are Jane Denby of Browns, and Phil Kelly, trainer and assessor at HIT Training. Story on page 26.

ADVICE: Above and right, the National Apprenticeships Service helpspeople of any age to become an apprentice in their chosen career. HAPPY: Harry Brindley is training to be

SUPPORT: Third left, Stephen Bagley, with apprentices Joel CaElliott Thresh and Darren OConnell of training firm ATL. Story o

FROM LEFT: Lara Wiliams, Worcestershire County Council; RProperty & Care Partnership; Alan White, Malvern Hills SciencLove, Property & Care Partnership apprentice; Chris Welch, College of Technology and Fran Roberts, National Apprentices



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THE Community

Housing Group (TCHG),one of the largestproviders of socialhousing, care,

community, buildingmaintenance and groundsservices in the Wyre Forest, hasjoined the 100 apprentices in 100days campaign and has added afurther three apprenticeshipsopportunities within itsplumbing and horticulturalteams.

The group is fully committed toapprenticeships and since it wasestablished in 2000 has provided35 placements for young peoplewithin its subsidiary companies CHG Property Services,Oakleaf Grounds Services andBespoke Jonery Services.

Future plans includeplacements within its supportservices teams including finance,administration and computing.

TCHG is particularly proud ofthe high number of itsapprentices who achievenationally recognisedqualifications and successfully

obtain permanent employmentwithin the group after their

apprenticeship has ended.Apprentice training and

development is provided for thecompany by group member,Vestia Community Trust.

Marina Banner, executivedirector of Vestia and Corporate

Services, said: We understandhow difficult it is in this current

economic climate for people tofind work or gain the necessaryskills to compete in the jobsmarket. Vestia promotesapprenticeship schemes as a wayof bringing local people into theworkplace. It also provides

training programmes tenants and the wider

community in a rangeaimed at improving sksupport people into w

We believe apprentare a positive investmcompany and an opposupport the local econ

Group committedto training peopleThe Community Housing Group

Company

Business type

Established

Chief executive

Telephone

Website

E-mail

Location

Registered social landlord, care services provider andbuilding/grounds maintenance contractors.

2000

Raymond Brookes

01562 733000

communityhg.com

[email protected]

The Community Housing Group,3 Foley Grove,Foley Business Park, Kidderminster,Worcestershire DY11 7PT

EXPERIENCEApprenticesKidderminstCommunity Group haveopportunitieon-site learnApprentice pLucy Nelsonwith a satisfcustomer.

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BUSINESS Skills,the employertraining arm ofStourbridgeCollege, has

trained more than 600advanced apprentices andapprentices deliveringacross a wide range ofsectors.

These include plumbing,gas, electricalinstallation, carpentryand joinery, troweloccupations, motorvehicle, childcare, retailand customer service,business administration

and IT. A number ofadditional courses frombusiness improvementtechniques to health andsocial care are on offer.

Apprentices have beentrained for companiessuch as Mansells,Debenhams, JTL,Rymans, Fitness First, theVillage Hotels, Carillion,Worcester Bosch andCalor Gas.

Kim Babb, dBusiness SkilStourbridge, sApprenticeshto any businecommitted to that they invefuture workfoTraining peopages, while thto learn in a penvironment,businesses ana good foundagrowth. The reconomic recogrowth is throcontinued inv

training for of all ages.

StourbridgeEnergy Trainrecently won train apprentover the counbehalf of WorGroup. All fircareer in the gthe 15 apprennow studyinggas maintena

Apprentices are vi

Business Skills

Company

Business type

Established

Director

Telephone

Website

E-mail

Location

Training, apprenticeships and employability

2007

Kim Babb

0800 0730282

bskills.org

[email protected]

Aykroyd House,Hoo Road,Kidderminster,Worcestershire DY10 1NB

FROM PAGE 10

incredibly hard and directlycontributing to customer projects.As an alternative to traditionalgraduate recruitment, I wouldadvise any business consideringtaking on staff to look at thenational apprenticeship scheme.

With the help of the two youngapprentices, Borwell plans todevelop its business to utilise thelatest social media trends and towrite software for smart phones.

Dytchena, based at Malvern HillsScience Park in Malvern, says thatits apprenticeship programmeenjoys enthusiastic support at alllevels, from the chairman, down tothe technicians, engineers andsupervisors who activelyencourage and develop theapprentices in the workplace on adaily basis.

With more than 21 yearsexperience servicing bothWorcestershire and nationalclients the Water Works inKidderminster offers a full andcomprehensive range of services toits new and existing repeatingcustomer base.

Owner Steve Bagley said: I amvery passionate about theapprenticeship programme.Without apprentices being trainedit would seriously affect the profitof my business.

Its important to pass along yourknowledge to apprentices to ensurethat plumbing works are carriedout to a high standard.

Apprenticeships are the futurefor our trade and by investing inour young people to ensure that wehave tradespeople who are the thefuture for our country.

Marina Banner, executivedirector Vestia and CorporateServices part of Kidderminster-based the Community HousingGroup said: We promoteapprenticeship programmes as away of bringing local people intothe workplace.

We believe apprenticeships are apositive investment for ourcompany and an opportunity tosupport the local economy.

Oakland International at Beoley,near Redditch, recognises that theeffective training of its workforcecan greatly improve the companysflexibility, success and businessgrowth

It is looking at including NVQsand national apprenticeships aspart of itsstrategicpeople plan overthenext three to five years. Alreadyvarious core subjects have been

identified including warehouse andstorage, team leading, customerservices and IT.

North East WorcestershireCollege has seen the businessbenefits brought by apprentices inthe work place first hand byemploying apprentices itself.

The college regularly matchedemployers to apprentices throught he work of t he U nique S killsPeople as a training provider butmore recently has taken on its ownapprentices as part of both its busi-ness support teams and automotivetraining department.

Jeff Caseley, marketing managerat NEW College said: ChloePinches is the apprentice inmarketing. She came to us with areal can do attitude. There isnothing that phases Chloe, shesimply takes it all in her stride,

completing everythingthe highest professionaregardless of whether icomplex or mundane t

Despite Chloes youprofessionalism and atfantastic. Like all the awe have employed shedemonstrates that whetalent is given the opposhine it often proves thneed be no barrier.

One of the first areas college to take on an apwas the automotive andeptartment.

There, in the unique Davidson Training Schstudents who prove thebe particularly skilled the opportunity to procollege employed appretechnician.

Companiesfull support

for campaign LINE UP: Training organisation representatives, employers and apprentices in the Kidderminste



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AS the country graduallycomes out of recession,there has never been abetter time to equipyour organisation with

the skills of the future byemploying an apprentice.

Worcestershire Group TrainingAssociation (WGTA) togetherwith Herefordshire Group TrainingAssociation is the largest locally-based provider of apprenticeshipsin the two counties.

It provides training for workplacequalifications in the specific areasof engineering (mechanical,electrical, fabrication and welding)

and business and administration(including customer service,accountancy and warehousing).

All apprentices attend WGTAssuperbly equipped training centrein Sunnyside Road, Worcesterand/or a local college to ensure

that nationally recognisedqualifications are achieved.

Typically, WGTA works withemployers who are: Concerned that they do not havethe internal resources in place todevelop their staff. Anxious that financialconstraints will stop themplanning for their future skillsneeds. Frustrated with trainingproviders who do not meet theirrequirements.

Worcestershire Group TrainingAssociation works with companiesfrom the manufacturing,

processing, finance, legal andservice sectors, together withutilities and councils, ranging fromsmall family businesses to majoremployers who are part ofinternational groups.

What makes WGTA special? It is

governed by local companies whodecide how they want theirtraining organisation to be run formaximum benefit to theirbusinesses, employees and thelocal community.

Worcestershire Group TrainingAssociation has been guidingyoung people throughapprenticeships in the two countiesfor more than 40 years and it has aproven track record of developingthem into talented and

enthusiastic employees withsuccess rates well above thenational average.

It promotes career opportunitiesthrough apprenticeships to schoolpupils, college students and otheryoung people and then selects the

talent that local employers arelooking for those that companiescan rely on to develop the skillsand experience that benefit theirbusiness.

The final decision on recruitmentbelongs to the employer but WGTAworks directly with a company andpromises to make taking on anapprentice a simple process and arewarding experience.

Worcestershire Group TrainingAssociation has many satisfied

customers.Julie Bellerby, human resources

officer at Allen Gears, Pershore,said: We see apprenticeships as anessential part of the business as thecompany has long recognised thecrucial importance of recruiting

and developing a skilledA high proportion of o

employees comprise formcompany apprentices.

Julian Powell of Hallmsolicitors in Worcester, sgain for the employer is apprenticeship programa structured training platimes.

Some of the companiesWorcestershire Group TAssociation works with

Gears, Doncaster PrecisiCastings, Dytecna, Joy MJVM Castings, MalvernInstruments, NHS WorcSanctuary Group, SpiraxWorcester Bosch and YaMazak.

We have agreat rate

of successEXPERApprenbench WorcesGroup TAssocienginetraining

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16 worcesternews.co.uk Wednesday, Ma

100 apprenticeships in 100 days

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