Apprenticeships First is
the new government funded Apprentice Training Agency, which will
enable the two partner colleges to directly employ apprentices,
placing them with suitable host employers and delivering valuable
training to them in the workplace.
The scheme works just like a recruitment agency except that
Apprenticeships First matches apprentices to employers and vice
versa, rather than already qualified employees.
The launch took place at Dexter House in Tower Hill and
the key note speaker was Jon Thorn from the National
Apprenticeships Service. Guests attending ranged from job centres
and local authorities with an interest in finding suitable
placements for apprentices to small and large companies such
as Serco and Homes for Haringey.
The launch of Apprenticeships First comes as John Hayes, the new
Minister for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning,
recently pledged to provide the largest number of apprenticeship
places in history.
Maxine Room, Principal of Lewisham College said: "Apprentices
will play a key role in revitalising our economy. With unemployment
set to hit 3 million, creating new apprenticeships is a great way
of helping people in our local community, especially young people,
back into work.
"Apprenticeships First will also help a range of local
organisations, especially small businesses, offer Apprenticeship
places to young people."
Paul Head, Principal of the College of Haringey, Enfield and
North East London, said: "Apprenticeships allow our workforce to
learn new essential skills while they earn at the same time.
Employers can be confident they have expert and well motivated
staff and apprentices and their families know they have the
experience and training to enjoy a rewarding and satisfying
career.
"Colleges, like ourselves and Lewisham play a critical brokerage
role in ensuring the success of Apprenticeships nationally."
Find out more about Apprenticeships First: http://www.apprenticeshipsfirst.com/