Apprenticeships
St Helens Chamber’s Apprenticeship programme supports
young people to work towards nationally-recognised qualifications
whilst in employment and brings significant benefits to
business
St Helens Chamber has over 500 Apprentices aged 16-24,
working with more than 350 companies in Merseyside. Subjects
include business administration, information technology,
customer service, construction, call handling, accounts,
warehouse & distribution, retail and engineering.
Benefits to Business
The Chamber offers a comprehensive support package to
employers recruiting apprentices, and staff can give advice
on employment legislation, health and safety and equal
opportunities. Vacancies are also advertised free of charge
in local newspapers. The Chamber provides on-going support
once the young person is employed by the company and an
experienced Training Advisor will be assigned to support
and work with the employer and apprentice throughout the
training period.
The benefits of the Apprenticeships are many and varied.
As well as creating a more responsive, motivated workforce
through broader, transferable skills and self-learning,
employers may also reduce staff turnover by the implementation
of career progression plans. National standards and qualifications
will also serve to increase customer confidence, while
hands-on training and development can help to increase
the employer’s productivity. Businesses have identified
a need for a new, high-quality vocational training route
to create the skilled workforce of tomorrow, and Apprenticeships
aim to meet this demand.
What St Helens
Employers Say
Among the locally-based companies to benefit from the
programme are Couristan Carpets and Bethell Building Services
Ltd.
Stephen White, Training Co-ordinator of Couristan Carpets
said
"Apprenticeships offer Couristan Carpets the opportunity
to cost effectively recruit young, enthusiastic students
- train and develop them right from the outset in our
company culture and move them towards real levels of responsibility."
Allan Tilbrook, Managing Director, Bethell Building Services
Ltd
"For Bethell Building Services Ltd, the programme
has been an invaluable source of permanent employees.
This success is in no small measure a tribute to St Helens
Chamber - who offer support and guidance to our young
people throughout their training".
Other companies commented on the enthusiasm, energy and
commitment of the Apprentices and of the benefits to their
business in terms of easing recruitment difficulties,
increasing motivation, improving the company’s skills
base and helping with succession planning.
New Deal
Finding the right people
with the right skills and experience for your business
can be costly and time consuming. It isn't always easy
matching the best people with your specific requirements,
and you need highly skilled and trained staff to help
you grow your business.
As part of the suite of services offered to St Helens
employers, the Chamber is able to suggest experienced
and motivated young people who have successfully completed
the Government's New Deal programme. Such candidates will
have worked for up to one year in a proper work environment
in a range of occupations such as business administration,
IT, construction, customer service, care and the leisure
industry, and have received specialist occupational training
in these areas.
We are also able to offer a specialist service to building
companies with potential recruits with up to 18 months
previous employment experience and a trade qualification,
who will already have worked with major employers in the
town.
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