Firms urged to take on apprentices

Newark and Sherwood District Council is urging businesses to offer apprenticeships with the aim of creating 100 opportunities with local employers.

Recruiting an apprentice is seen as a way to develop a business and help young people into work.

The 100 Apprenticeships campaign, in partnership with the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) will encourage and support businesses of all sizes that wish to appoint an apprentice for the first time, or build on their existing apprenticeship programme.

The campaign will be supported by a network of partners including the Advertiser, local colleges, private training providers, Newark Business Club, Jobcentre Plus and the district’s secondary schools.

The council’s leader and cabinet member for strategy and prosperity, Mr Roger Blaney, said: “Employing an apprentice creates a lot of benefits for a business.

“Apprenticeships enable you to fill skills gaps within your workforce, develop specialist skills requirements and grow future leaders, creating a motivated and qualified workforce.

“It also helps to increase a business’s productivity and competitive capabilities.

“The council itself has, in the last few years, taken on several apprentices who have enriched the authority’s workforce offering a young and free perspective.

“Apprenticeships offer enthusiastic young people an opportunity to earn a wage while learning and gaining qualifications.

“Some have either gone on to gain full-time employment with the council or used their experiences to secure work elsewhere.”