Special Review: Apprenticeships

Buoyant apprenticeship market all set for future boom

As interest in apprenticeships continues to grow, the North West remains the strongest recruiting region. Of the 440,000 apprentice starts nationally last year, 72,000 of these were in the North West.

Sandra Martland, business development manager at Blackburn College, adds: "Our apprentice applications for the coming year are already increased, with renewed interest in the construction trades as well as service sectors and higher level apprenticeships."

"We have an important role to play in supporting businesses as they tackle a growing skills shortage," says Mike Phelan, director of skills and business development at Blackpool and The Fylde College. Closer relationships between employers and colleges are required to train the next generation of employees and to assist with developing existing staff."

"Our apprenticeship training is focussed on delivering key benefits for employers and learners alike."

Damian Crawshaw, team manager at North Lancashire Training Group, says: "According recent CIPD research, 40 per cent of apprenticeship vacancies receive just five or fewer applications and only 15 per cent of parents say that they have received enough information on apprenticeship schemes."

"Many employers are looking at meeting their projected skills needs through engaging with the apprenticeship programme to not only grow their own but also to provide ongoing training for existing staff," says Ann Beetham, apprenticeship manager at Preston’s College.

"Apprenticeships are on the rise in East Lancashire. Traditional industries are picking up and construction apprenticeships are starting to boom again," says Tamsin Deasey, director of business and partnerships at Accrington and Rossendale College.

The feature also includes advice and information for those at the delivery end of the process (highlighted below).

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"Blackburn College has built an excellent reputation for delivering high quality apprenticeships across a variety of sectors. We pride ourselves on our excellent success rates and the work we do with learners in industry"

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"Offering a full apprenticeship recruitment service, industry experienced trainers and an evolving insight on the demands of modern industry LMC is the provider of choice for the local business community"

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"Preston's College offers a one-stop-shop from recruitment and selection to delivering real business benefits to your company."

"Runshaw delivers over 20 different apprenticeship frameworks with outstanding success, offering vocational areas from accounting to beauty therapy, childcare to engineering. Work with us and share in our success."

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