Five-a-day campaign to recruit more apprentices

Sep 4 2009 by Iain Laing, The Journal

A CAMPAIGN aimed at helping 400 young people secure apprenticeships with businesses across the North East has been launched by the North East Chamber of Commerce.

The organisation said it is working with businesses to get five apprenticeships up and running every day between now and Christmas.

The campaign aims to help businesses find a way of recruiting fresh talent as well as fostering a loyal workforce.

At the same time, hundreds of young people will benefit from gaining fulfilling careers and industry- recognised qualifications while being paid.

Patricia Wilkinson, director of training and skills development at NECC, said: “Now, more than ever, employers need to be thinking about the skills they have in their workplace. Apprentices offer a fantastic way to bring new skills to a business.

“With links with more than 4,000 employers in the North East and as the leading vocational training provider in the region, NECC is in a unique position to be able to deliver on our 5-a-day promise.”

Backed by Sir Alan Sugar, star of television’s The Apprentice, the Government wants to see the number of young apprentices training in the North East doubled to 10,000 by 2013. NECC currently has 1,500 apprentices on its books and is looking to recruit 400 more via the 5-a-day campaign and its new learner website at http://www.necc.co.uk/learners.

With its specialist training recruitment service, the chamber oversees every part of the apprenticeship journey for both employer and apprentice, including selecting and interviewing candidates.

Apprentice Laura Kisby, 21, is a trainee finance officer at the Pennywell Youth Development Project in Sunderland and has successfully completed an NVQ Level 2 in Business Administration and Level 3 in customer service and is about to start a Level 4 in accountancy.

“The apprenticeship has been great for me because I’ve been able to get qualifications but earn a wage at the same time,” said Laura, who was the winner of NECC prestigious Learner of the Year Award this year.

“It’s made me feel more loyal towards my employers as they’ve invested the time in me to do my training. It’s also good for the young people who come into the project to see what I’ve achieved and know they can do it too.”

Diane Mountain, community development co-ordinator at the Pennywell Youth Development Project, said: “The apprenticeship provides training for the individual, which in turn benefits us.

“Laura is very good at her job and has become a role model to other youngsters at the project.”