Cash to support 50 new trainees
Rixonway Kitchens in Dewsbury is among the businesses backing Kirklees Council's apprenticeship drive. Pictured second from left is Sue Weston from Kirklees Council, with Rixonway's accountancy apprentice Sam Greenbank, administration apprentice Toni Larkin, HR manager Rachel Newton and chief executive Paul Rose, and Amrez Bhatti from National Apprenticeship Service.
FIFTY apprenticeships could be created across the district within two months thanks to a new council scheme.
The Kirklees Apprenticeship Incentive Scheme is offering grants of £1,500 to businesses which take on a young apprentice.
But companies will have to move quickly to take up the opportunity.
The scheme closes on March 31 or as soon as all 50 places are filled.
The new initiative is part of council efforts to tackle spiralling unemployment.
Kirklee Council leader Mehboob Khan said it would bring benefits for both businesses and the young people taken on.
“Over the last two years, we’ve seen youth unemployment rise by 22 per cent in Kirklees,” he said. “We now have over 4,000 Jobseeker’s Allowance claimants who are under 25.
“Getting young people back into work is a big priority for the council. This scheme will help to secure the futures of 50 individuals.”
Tuesday’s announcement coincided with other National Apprenticeship Week activities across Kirklees, including an apprenticeship event at the Galpharm Stadium in Huddersfield.
It was welcomed by Dewsbury business Rixonway Kitchens, a national apprenticeship ambassador.
Rixonway chief executive Paul Rose said: “This is a great initiative and one that I’m sure will prove very popular. We have always supported apprentices and have seen great benefits from employing them.”
Although the council holds the funds for the scheme, it will be the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) regional office which handles business applications.
NAS employer account manager Amrez Bhatti said: “Eighty-one per cent of employers say that apprenticeships increase productivity in their business and that having apprentices makes them more competitive.
“We’re looking forward to bringing more of these benefits to Kirklees firms.”
The scheme is open to any Kirklees business employing fewer than 250 people, which can allow the apprentice time off to train.
Apprentices taken on through roles created with the council cash must be Kirklees residents and aged between 16 and 24.
NAS can help to identify a business’ employment needs and find suitable apprentice training providers.
More information is available online at www.kirklees.gov.uk/apprenticeshipweek.
Businesses can also email amrez.bhatti@apprenticeships.gov.uk or ring Mr Bhatti at NAS on 01274 444125.
Follow me on Twitter @ReporterGeorge. Email me at georgina.morris@ywng.co.uk.
l See page 16 for more business news.
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Comments
There are 3 comments to this article
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flopsey
Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 11:41 AMMay i also add, with regard to people claiming benefits, but 'Choosing not to Work'; Why if people have been on the benefits system for some time, and have still not got work, are the council not insisting that these claimants do some small tasks to qualify for their payments. Litter Picking (Dewsbury is a very dirty town, look at the hedgerows), Vegatation Clearance, Graffiti Removal......... all in partnership with the councils full time paid workers. I beleive that able bodied people who are on benefits should have to do some un-paid work to get their benefits, through the council. Like Martin said, there is plenty of local work, and lots in the comunity for which the council cannot cope with........... litter etc. Get people on benefits to do something for their FREE money, MY MONEY , for godsake. As always, my thoughts go to the genuine cases who have recently been made redundent.
martingeorgebird
Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 11:10 AMWith so many abled bodied young people out of work or choose to be out of work this country let aloan Kirk-Clueless-Lees giving out money when essential areas are without funds is again flustrating. For the abled 'choose not to work' (not aimed at genuine folk) there is plenty of local work to be had before handouts are given. Good idea apprentice schemes-I was once an apprentice many moons ago but not funded by councils or governments-ones own bleeding pocket!! Yet again we have a government in place that like previous ones do not or will not grow balls and tackle these issues. I'm guessing that Kirk-Clueless-Lees was given the go ahead to fund this scheme? On a lighter note-cheers Birstall's village Christmas lights have finally been turned off!! who's paid the extra leccy bill??
flopsey
Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 08:40 AMThe Kirklees Apprenticeship Incentive Scheme is offering grants of £1,500 to businesses which take on a young apprentice. So the council is getting rid of staff left right and centre in its cost cutting measures, but can afford £1500 per apprentice taken on. This should add insult to injury for any displaced council staff. The council should centre this money on supporting its displaced staff, or trying to get its displaced staff into these companies. Cut down on spending my back side.
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