09/02/12

Coventry and Warwickshire LEP achieves apprentice challenge


?

The Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership is celebrating achieving its 100 in 100 challenge during National Apprenticeship Week 2012

The LEP campaign – run in partnership with the National Apprenticeship Service –  was launched on November 1 to encourage 100 companies and organisations in the region to take on 100 apprentices in 100 days in a bid to reduce unemployment and improve skills.

Ninety eight employers had been signed up on Friday at the end of the latest LEP local event at the Ricoh Arena.

The magical number was reached on Monday (February 6) when CWT and North Warwickshire and Hinckley College added a further 12 employers to beat the 100 total and take the tally to 110 with two days to spare.

Denys Shortt, chairman of the Coventry and Warwickshire LEP, said the wide range of companies involved highlighted the benefits of apprentices from SMEs to multi-national companies. He said:

“It has been a fantastic team effort from all the partners involved from LEP, the National Apprenticeship Service, the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Small Businesses as well as the crucial input of businesses in Coventry and Warwickshire.

“We are one of the smallest LEPs in the country but we set ourselves a tough target of encouraging 100 companies to take on 100 apprentices in 100 days and to reach the target in such style is heart-warming.

“This campaign seems to have really captured the imagination of businesses across the region but we won’t be resting on our laurels.

“The LEP will continue to identify and help companies who will benefit from apprentices while at the same time helping people gain new skills which will be of benefit to the economy in the future.

“Improving the skills shortage was one of the main initiatives that the LEP was set up to achieve and our direct action means we have taken one small step towards achieving that.

“This has also been a great example of the private and public sector working together to remove barriers to growth.

“Apprentices have been signed up by companies ranging from a sports shop to an engineering firm and a charity to an accountants which underlines the positive impact that recruiting apprentices can have on any business.”

Support for employers wishing to recruit new apprenticeships or train existing staff continues to be available from the National Apprenticeship Service on www.apprenticeships.gov.uk or by calling 08000 150 160.

Back to News page