Test Valley 111 Apprenticeships in 2011 scheme launched (From This is Hampshire)

Test Valley 111 Apprenticeships in 2011 scheme launched

9:25am Thursday 9th June 2011 in News

A BOLD initiative to create jobs and give young people a springboard for their working lives was launched this week.

Test Valley 111 Apprenticeships in 2011 took its first breath at The Lights in Andover when training providers, local authorities and employers came together to tell and be told about the multiple advantages of apprenticeships.

For young people they offer the chance to earn while they learn and gain skills that should set them up for life.

The employer gets enthusiastic, loyal and committed employees at a lower starting wage but who can offer fresh ideas as well as useful employment.

Guests heard from the mayor of Test Valley, Cllr Zilliah Brooks, about her experience as an apprentice and also the apprentices employed by her late husband’s company, Locomotors.

Speakers included Gavin Smith, the employer services director of the National Apprentice Service; John Bentley, operations manager of Preformed Line Products; Steve O’Connell, head of commercial development with PDM Training and Consultancy and Stewart Phillips, a former borough council apprentice and now chargehand groundsman at TVBC.

All echoed the sentiments that apprenticeships were a win-win situation for employer and employee and Gavin Smith urged businesses to look carefully at the benefits the scheme could offer, and to pledge to take on apprentices to help themselves and the scheme reach its target by November.

The companies present had pledged to take on 12 apprenticeships and it was hoped that more would follow suit to reach the target.

One person who has benefited from an apprenticeship scheme was Holly Cummins who said that the scheme has helped her gain more hands on experience within a working environment while she earned her qualifications while getting paid.

“College wasn’t for me it was just a stepping stone,” she said.

“I feel that if you are in an apprenticeship, there is a lot more to be gained by working in the environment from the start.” David Gleave, economic development officer at Test Valley Borough Council said: “I’m absolutely delighted that we have got the National Apprenticeship Service pushing apprenticeships in Test Valley.

“We want to be offering as many opportunities for the young as we can.”

National Apprenticeships marketing manager Amanda Sayers said: “If employers arte interested in the call to action then they can call 08000 150 600 and we will put them in touch with a training provider who will start it out for them.”