Businesses have the chance to take-on apprentices as Durham County Council launches a repeat of last year’s highly successful apprenticeship programme.
Some 160 unemployed 16 to 24-year-olds started apprenticeships during the last year, including two who were part of a team creating the distinctive coating for the Olympic and Paralympic torches.
Durham County Council’s employability team is working with Area Action Partnerships in Spennymoor, Chester-le-Street and Newton Aycliffe as well as the National Apprenticeships Service, which provides dedicated support for employers through a One Stop Shop. They are providing funds for small to medium sized businesses with less than 250 employees who have not recruited an apprentice in the last year to create additional apprenticeship opportunities for County Durham based 16 to 24-year-olds.
An incentive of £2,500 will be available to encourage small to medium sized businesses to create an apprenticeship opportunity for a minimum of 15 months. Businesses targeted include manufacturing and engineering, energy, scientific and technical, tourism, transport and storage and health and social work, which have all been identified as wealth creating sectors.
Cllr Neil Foster, Cabinet member for economic regeneration said, “This is another opportunity for businesses to give young people their much-needed first step to employment. We are delighted to help out by getting the scheme up and running again. I am sure it will be another big success.”
If you are interested in accessing the apprenticeship programme funding please contact a member of the employability team on 03000 262009.
