College celebrates Apprenticeships Week by urging businesses to take advantage of new government grant

Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC) is celebrating the start of National Apprenticeship Week (1-5 February 2010) by encouraging more local employers to consider hiring an apprentice.

The College is urging businesses to contact them to discuss the government’s new Apprentice Grant for Employers (AGE) scheme, which offers a £2,500 grant for each 16 to 17-year-old apprentice they employ.

The National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) is offering 5,000 “golden hellos” nationally, but the offer is only available until 31 March 2010.

John Prescott, Head of Employer Training at the College, said: “We have worked closely with local employers for a number of years to develop apprenticeship programmes that meet their business needs.

“The costs of the training for young people aged 16 to 18 are already fully met by the National Apprenticeship Service, so this grant could help a business pay the minimum apprenticeship wage requirement of £95 per week.”

He added: “In the current economic climate, it’s vitally important that local companies continue to train so they are ready to benefit from the recovery.”

The College is one of the leading providers of apprenticeships in the region, with trainees currently in place across 12 different job sectors including accountancy, business administration, construction, engineering, hairdressing, childcare, IT, health and social care, customer service and retail.

In November 2009, Gary Parton, an apprentice from Newcastle-based Ibstock Brick, won the Proskills Advanced Apprentice of the Year award.

Gary, aged 23 from Bentilee, completed an advanced apprenticeship in mechanical engineering through the College. Since finishing his training, he has been taken on as a permanent employee at the company.

Colin Alaimo, Lecturer and Assessor in Engineering, said: “We’re extremely proud of Gary, his award represents the standard of students we have at NULC and highlights the hard work and success of all our apprentices.”

People who want to find out more about becoming an apprentice, or employers interested in training apprentices, should call the employer engagement unit on 01782 254263, email apprenticeships@nulc.ac.uk or visit www.nulc.ac.uk/apprenticeships