North West urges engineering firms to say yes to apprenticeships 15 July 2011

Business leaders in the North West are calling on engineering firms in the region to say 'Yes To Apprenticeships.'

The campaign, managed by Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce and its Apprenticeship training provider Skills Solutions, is, say the organisers, in line with the government's drive for an extra 100,000 apprenticeships across the UK, with £222m extra funding.

Nathan Bluer, managing director of Torkington Engineers, says the 'Yes to Apprenticeships' campaign has brought together firms from across the industrial spectrum. And he points out that, as part of the new Apprenticeship Training Agency (ATA) initiative, employers can employ an apprentice from as little as £5,000 per annum.

"Business Minister Mark Prisk made an announcement this week that there is a marked shortage of people going into engineering jobs," states Bluer.

"Considering [that] employers within the sector are saying yes to appointing an apprentice, this is a worrying statement for engineering industry. There simply aren't enough vacancies to allow those wanting to pursue a career in engineering, the chance to," he continues.

And he adds: "Saying yes to taking on an apprentice is saying yes to trained staff, yes to the next generation of talent, yes to government funding and yes to the future of your company and industry – so the question is, why wouldn't businesses want to say yes?"

"Despite an increase in individuals signing up to take part in apprenticeship programmes across the region and a renewed interest in Apprenticeships from within the media, there is still sometimes a lack of awareness or understanding of what they can really offer," comments Heather Green, director of Apprenticeships at Skills Solutions.

"The reality is apprenticeships offer businesses increased longevity of service, the ability to home grow talent and the chance to immerse an individual in the ethos of a business from day one, which together are without question beneficial to any business whatever the sector."

Brian Tinham

Related Websites
http://www.gmchamber.co.uk/yes

Related Companies
Torkington Engineers Ltd

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