Apprenticeships on the menu at Swindon business breakfast

May 7, 2009
By

At a business breakfast event in Swindon next week, business owners and managers are to be given the opportunity to learn more about Apprenticeships, including the essential role they can play in supporting organisations in the current economic climate.

Hosted by the new National Apprenticeship Service (NAS), the breakfast – held at Swindon’s STEAM Museum from 7.45am on Wednesday, 13 May – will also enable attendees to hear how Apprenticeships are already benefiting local employers

In addition, the NAS and independent business brokers from Business Link will be on hand to explain the availability of Apprenticeship funding and answer employer’s queries via a question and answer panel session.

John Chudley, regional director of the NAS, said: “There has always been a strong business case for Apprenticeships, but the benefits are even greater during the current trading climate. In fact, our research has shown that almost a quarter of businesses have hired more apprentices to help them through tougher times.

“Apprenticeships have always made good commercial sense, and the fact that so many businesses are now taking part in the Apprenticeship programme is testament to how successfully it is meeting employers’ exacting demands and creating a valuable, skilled and willing workforce for the future.”

Apprenticeships have been identified as a key weapon to help combat the downturn and a cornerstone of the Government’s skills strategy to boost the economy and increase UK competitiveness. Earlier this year, Gordon Brown announced an extra £140m of funding to create an additional 35,000 new Apprenticeship places in response to concerns that the recession will make it harder for young people to get onto the jobs ladder.

In the last 10 years, the number of Apprenticeships in the UK – which span 80 different industry sectors – has risen from 75,000 to 240,000. In the South West, there are in excess of 49,000 learners on Apprenticeship programmes at more than 17,000 businesses.

Further information about the Swindon Business Breakfast can be obtained by calling 0117 973 1173.

For more information about Apprenticeships, visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk or call 08000 150 600.

Leave a Reply

ADVERTISE HERE

Reach tens of thousands of senior business people across Swindon & Wiltshire for just £70 a month. Email info@swindon-business.net for more information.