Wyre Forest businesses are backing apprenticeships

Tuesday 26th July 2011

Twenty three local businesses came together today to support the drive for more apprenticeships in the Wyre Forest.

At an event hosted by The Community Housing Group (TCHG) on behalf of the National Apprenticeship Service, employers had an opportunity to hear how apprenticeships not only give a young person a chance to train for a career but also how they can add real value to businesses.

Marina Banner, Executive Director of Vestia and TCHG Corporate Services explained "We have a very successful apprenticeship programme within the Group and felt that this was a great opportunity to share our experiences of how it can work effectively. We are really committed to promoting apprenticeships and hope to encourage other organisations to consider young people as a worthwhile investment"

Guest speakers included representatives from Thomas Vale Group, CHG Property Services, the National Apprentice Service, Worcestershire Community Foundation and Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce.

Attendees were given practical advice from employers already running an apprenticeship programme as well as details of "start up" funding from the Worcestershire Community Foundation's 100 club.

But it was the apprentices themselves who stole the show as they spoke passionately about how much they have gained from their apprenticeship.

John Wootton, Assistant Surveryor/Supervisor with CHG Property Services "I can not stress how important the "on the job" experience was and learning from qualified trades people. They helped me put the theory I got from college, into practice and you learn so much more by doing. If I am honest, I didn't really know what I wanted to do when I left school but the apprenticeship allowed me to get a range of valuable skills which eventually helped me to achieve my present position as an assistant Surveyor"

Scott Talbott, Construction Management Trainee with Thomas Vale Group "Being an apprentice with Thomas Vale Group has given me so many opportunities. I found the training part of the apprenticeship really challenging as you have to put the hours in to get the results. But you come away with a nationally recognised qualification and for me, an opportunity to build a career in construction management which I would never have had a chance to go for"

Kyle Nelson, Marketing & IT Apprentice with TCHG "I had heard a lot about apprenticeships but always thought they were just for trades such as carpenters or bricklayers. When I had the chance to join TCHG and learn skills in marketing, design and IT, I grabbed it. I have lots of mentoring and practical tasks to do as well as working towards an NVQ. I feel that it has boosted my confidence and helped me learn other skills such as project management and multi-media"

The event was brought to a close by Mike Ashton, Chief Executive of the Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce. A former apprentice himself, he emphasised how apprenticeships provide the firm foundations for a successful career. He praised the event for it's focus on "real people talking about real experiences" and hoped that other employers would feel encouraged and motivated by the examples they had seen.

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