A special event is being held in North Somerset to mark
National Apprenticeship Week.
It will be a great opportunity for businesses in North Somerset
to learn more about the potential benefits of apprenticeships to
their organisations. It will also be a chance to talk to staff and
colleagues from Weston College after the event who will be able to
provide advice and guidance to businesses considering taking on an
apprentice.
Together with our private sector partners Agilisys and
Liberata; Weston College; and the National Apprenticeship Service
are holding this partnership event on Thursday 9 February from 3 to
5 pm in the Bistro at Weston College’s Knightstone Campus,
Weston-super-Mare.
Despite the current economic challenges the country is facing,
skills, training and apprenticeships make a significant
contribution to businesses, with research showing that 80% of those
who employ apprentices agree that they make the workplace more
productive.
Our Chief Executive Officer, Graham Turner, commends the
apprentices for their positive contributions to the teams they work
with. He said: "We are proud to be able to offer apprentices the
opportunity to work in our organisation, and appreciate the energy
and professionalism that they show - they are a credit to the
council. The apprenticeship scheme is good for young people,
good for the council and good for the community."
We have recently been recognised for our commitment and
support, as an employer, to the training and skills development of
their staff by offering apprenticeships, with the awarding of a
certificate by the National Apprenticeship Service.
There will be guest speakers at the event including Manoj Badale.
Manoj is a technology entrepreneur, co-founder of Agilisys, one of
the founders of the Indian Premier Cricket League and co-owner of
the Rajasthan Royals. Local MP, John Penrose, is also supporting
the event and he too will be a guest speaker.
The event is also a chance to meet apprentices who work in the
area who will share not only what it means to them to be an
apprentice but what they have contributed to their businesses. Jo
Kidner has successfully completed her apprenticeship and is now
working for the council as a finance monitoring officer. Her
manager is delighted with her performance: "Jo has strong
analytical finance skills and has had a massive positive impact on
complex finances. She has identified financial problems and
solutions which covers the cost of her post several times over."
Bobby Turner is now working for Agilisys' procurement team and
said: "If you provide a young person with the right development
opportunities then they are likely to be the most valuable asset
you have, not only in the present but in the future as
well."
