26/02/14

National Apprenticeship Week in Coventry & Warwickshire

The Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP) is urging businesses to recruit apprentices as part of a nationwide initiative which launches next week.

The seventh National Apprenticeship Week starts on Monday (March 3) and the National Apprenticeship Service has launched an online ‘Pledgeometer’ to enable employers to submit pledges to add apprentices to their workforce. 

The CWLEP is aiming to increase the number of apprenticeships from 8,457 to 8,757 in the area by March 2015.

There is a particular focus on the advanced manufacturing and engineering sector – with the CWLEP wanting to increase apprenticeships in this industry from 751 to 851 in the same timeframe.

Marion Plant, chair of the Skills Business and Employment Group at the CWLEP and principal at North Warwickshire & Hinckley College, said the National Apprenticeship Week, which is co-ordinated by the National Apprenticeship Service, is designed to celebrate apprenticeships and the positive impact they have on individuals, businesses and the economy. 

She said:

“Every year, the National Apprenticeship Week increases in popularity because there is no doubt apprenticeships are great for businesses, careers and creating opportunities for employers and apprentices.

“Thanks to campaigns such as National Apprenticeship Week, apprenticeships in Coventry and Warwickshire are growing in popularity among employers and young people.

“Apprenticeships are a double-win for young people and employers. They are ideal for students just leaving school or college because they provide valuable experience in a working environment and the opportunity to learn new skills as well as gain recognised qualifications and a wage.

“The advantage for businesses is that they are employing bright, talented, enthusiastic young people who can be trained in their way of carrying out jobs as well as investing in the future of their company.

“Apprenticeships can also resolve the skills gap which is often a concern for employers that there are not enough workers with the necessary qualifications and experience which can be storing up future skills shortages.

“The CWLEP’s apprenticeship strategy was a key component of the skills strategy that we have just completed and encouraging employers to sign-up to the ‘Pledgeometer’ will be a step towards promoting economic growth and sustainable employment in the area.”

The quarterly apprenticeship Index reveals a 20% increase in apprenticeship vacancies in the West Midlands posted online on the apprenticeship vacancies website between August and October 2013 (academic year Q1 2013/14) compared to the same period the previous year – 4,550 vacancies were advertised over the three months versus 3,780 in 2012.

The number of online applications for apprenticeships also increased by 31% (to 70,240) in the West Midlands.

To find out more about apprenticeships and National Apprenticeship Week, go to www.apprenticeships.org.uk

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