Apprentices are good for business (Status: Press release)
OXFORDSHIRE County Council is stepping up its efforts to help young people into work by encouraging local businesses to take on young apprentices.
As part of national Apprenticeship Week, which runs from 1st to 5th February 2010, the county council is running a number of events to celebrate the role apprentices can play in Oxfordshire?s business community and to publicise schemes to help young people into work and training.
On Tuesday 2nd February, Keith Mitchell, Leader of Oxfordshire County Council and Richard Dick, the High Sheriff of Oxfordshire, will host a Business Breakfast at Egrove Park in Kennington. The event will be an opportunity for employers to hear from apprentices themselves and to find out about government plans for apprenticeships, local schemes and the training and salary funding available.
Throughout the week, Connexions Personal Advisers will be visiting locations where large numbers of young people are currently unemployed to inform them of apprenticeship schemes. The Connexions Opportunities Team, which helps employers to advertise jobs and matches employers with potential young employees, will be promoting apprenticeships to employers over the phone.
Leading by example
Oxfordshire County Council has had an Apprenticeship Programme in place since 2006 and currently employs 60 apprentices in five areas of work – social and health care, business administration, outdoor education, IT and civil engineering.
In 2010, the programme will be extended and apprenticeships will be offered in youth work, playwork, creative arts (based at the Oxfordshire Museum Resource Centre), customer service and schools.
The county council also coordinates the Future Jobs Fund for the county, which provides salary subsidies for businesses willing to offer work placements to long-term unemployed 18-24 year olds.
A win-win arrangement
Councillor Keith Mitchell, Leader of Oxfordshire County Council said: ?The recession has greatly reduced the number of job opportunities for school leavers in our county and we are seeing a worrying increase in the number of long-term unemployed young people.
?Apprenticeships are a wonderful way to give young people some paid work and invaluable experience and to bring new energy to local businesses. In February, the county council will take on its 100th apprentice and we want to laud the benefits of these schemes.?
If you are a local employer and would like to find out more about apprenticeships, please contact the Connexions Opportunities Team on: Tel: 0845 6029375 or email: opportunities@connexionsoxfordshire.co.uk
PHOTO: Courtesy of rafmaf.org
