For the eighth consecutive year, Wyre Forest District Council has pledged its support for employers within the district with an Apprenticeship Grant Scheme to financially support employers to recruit an apprentice.
The Wyre Forest District Council Apprenticeship Grant Scheme has supported more than 70 local employers, many of which have continued to employ their apprentice once they completed their programme.
The scheme is open to businesses based in the Wyre Forest district, with up to 200 employees. The employer can access a £1,500 grant towards the cost of an apprentice who must live in the district.
Councillor Fran Oborski, Deputy Leader at Wyre Forest District Council said:
“The Council is a keen advocate of apprenticeships. Our partnership with Kidderminster College has been a fruitful one. We are pleased to be running the programme again this year, particularly as it has been such a difficult year for most in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic.
At Wyre Forest District Council, we have employed apprentices for a number of years now and to give examples; in Communications and Business Administration we have two employees undertaking apprenticeships in Digital Marketing and Customer Service and Facilities/Property Maintenance. They make a significant contribution to our organisation and bring a wealth of new skills and insights. They attend Kidderminster College for a day each week to pursue their studies which are immediately translated into the workplace.”
The WFDC Apprenticeship Grant Scheme supports a range of business sectors including digital marketing, social media, ICT, business administration and accountancy at Level Two and Level Three.
Beth Newton, Apprenticeships Manager from Kidderminster College said:
“Apprenticeships have moved on from what they used to be and are an exciting option for both apprentice and employer. Apprenticeships are really important for our future economy and they can be employed at all different levels, from school leavers to people who want to further their careers or change career direction completely.
“On an apprenticeship programme, individuals receive both on and off the job training which builds up the required knowledge, skills and behaviours that employers are looking for in today’s competitive job market.
“At Kidderminster College, our dedicated apprenticeship team work with over 250 fantastic companies in the area and we offer a range of programmes to suit every business. These also include construction, motor vehicle, childcare and hairdressing.
There are many enthusiastic and capable young people within our community looking to undertake an apprenticeship this summer so now our message to employees is that is a great time to take action if you are thinking of taking on an apprentice.”
For more information on Apprenticeships available through Kidderminster College, contact bnewton@kidderminster.ac.uk, telephone 01562 826515.
