Young people who are waving goodbye to school or college this summertime could be suffering sleepless nights, not just about grades, but about whether to continue in education or thrust themselves into the world of work.
Making a decision early on can sometimes lead to disappointment or frustration, though, as many discover they respond better to work-based training as opposed to academia.
That’s why Apprenticeship Schemes are making a big comeback and now Cheshire East Council has launched its own, which comes at a time when young people are finding it hard to gain employment. At Cheshire East Council apprentices get the opportunity to study for National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ'S) and benefit from two six month placements in different Council services.
Opportunities are varied with NVQs available in areas such as business administration, ICT and customer services with apprentices able to apply for full-time positions while they are on the scheme.
Research shows that offering apprenticeships is a great cost-effective method of recruiting new and future talent enabling employers to match skills with the internal roles that need filling. The Learning and Skills Council surveyed businesses throughout the UK on the benefits of hiring an apprentice and found that 81 per cent said employing apprentices generated a higher overall productivity for their organisation.
An impressive 92 per cent said their apprenticeship programme better motivated staff and increased job satisfaction, and 74 per cent said that apprentices tended to be more loyal, remaining at their organisation longer than non-apprentices.
Councillor Frank Keegan, Cabinet member with responsibility for resources, said: “Our Apprenticeship Scheme offers a fast-track solution for many young people who are unsure about what to do with their careers. We would actively encourage anyone who is interested to contact us and talk to us about how they could be part of the council’s future.
"Some years ago I myself was part of a similar scheme with ScotRail and I finished up as a doubly qualified Accountant. In the course of my career, I have been a Special Adviser to a UN Agency (ILO) for 4 years, and I spent 20 years as a Management Consultant working in USA, Europe, UK and Kazakstan. And it all started with a scheme that gave me a foothold in business life and an opportunity to advance myself. I encourage all of our Apprentices to reach out and take their opportunities.”
Click here to apply, or simply find out more about Cheshire East Council’s Apprenticeship Scheme.
