Home > News

PROUD TO SUPPORT 100 IN 100 The National Apprenticeship Service has launched the 100 in 100 Apprenticeship campaign in South Yorkshire, collaborating with training providers across the area.

The National Apprenticeship Service and the Rotherham Work and Skills Board have embarked on a new initiative to increase the number of Apprenticeships in South Yorkshire and are inviting businesses to be a part of it.

The ‘100 in 100' Apprenticeship campaign runs from February to May 2011 with the aim of 100 local companies committing to recruit or start to train 100 apprentices in 100 days. The launch coincides with National Apprenticeship Week, promoting the benefits of Apprenticeships to local businesses.

The value and volume of Apprenticeships is growing rapidly and the government is offering an exclusive opportunity for businesses to take advantage of the scheme, creating an additional 50,000 places available immediately and a further 100,000 over the next four years.  Nick Wilson, Regional Director for the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS), said: "In an increasingly competitive world, Apprenticeships are one of the very best and most cost-effective ways for employers to grow their own talent."  The cost of training is either free or subsidised and the Apprenticeship minimum wage is £2.50 per hour.

The scheme has been launched in collaboration with training providers The Source, Pertemps People Development Group, Rotherham College of Arts and Technology and Dearne Valley College, to spread the word of the government Apprenticeship initiative to local businesses.

Prime Minister David Cameron said: "Apprenticeships offer a fantastic opportunity for people to gain the skills they need for the jobs of the future, equipping the country for our goal to build long-term sustainable growth.

"That is why despite some difficult decisions on spending; we are boosting the number of apprenticeships. We think this is absolutely vital not just to help people into work for the short term but to make sure they can have successful long term careers.

Apprenticeships are available in all industry and business sectors and can provide training in almost any job roles in any business.  Apprentices can be any age and can be a new recruit in the organisation or a more experienced existing member of staff who would benefit from on the job training and gaining recognised qualifications to progress in the business.

Lyndsay Cooper, Assistant Manager, USC said: "Not only have the Apprenticeships benefited the business, they have been great for the team as a whole. Everyone is sharing knowledge that they have learnt and it has made the team so much stronger. Everyone knows how to solve any situation and it has absolutely changed the team dynamics. The training has encouraged the staff to think about what they need to put in to achieve their objective. The course looks at KPI's and by demonstrating an improvement; it shows the team what they are doing right."

The National Apprenticeship Service provides free advice and support to employers by phone or by an advisor visit to help select the appropriate type of Apprenticeship, relevant qualifications, a high quality training provider to help deliver the training and a free web-based recruitment system that enables employers to advertise vacancies to high calibre students.

Rotherham Work and Skills Board employer members Bramall Construction, Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber of Commerce and INE Nails are the first employers to back the 100 in 100 Apprenticeship campaign recruiting office, nail technician and construction apprentices and getting the campaign off to a flying start.  Now it's your turn ...

To find out how Apprenticeships can be good for your business and back the campaign contact Sophie Taylor on 0114 263 5667/07827852504 sophie.taylor@thesourceacademy.co.uk.