‘The apprentice agency’ launches today, promising to cut the red tape and stacks of paperwork that currently put small business owners off employing apprentices. A joint venture by the Learning and Skills Network (LSN) and The Workshop, The apprentice agency is partnering with colleges to help small businesses by offering them ‘work-ready’ apprentices.
The company promises to provide the support to make it possible for SMEs to take advantage of apprenticeships. With government plans to fund 75,000 new apprenticeship places over the next 5 years, this support will allow SMEs to compete with big business for the best apprentices.
Piloting the programme in Reading and Oxford, the Apprentice Agency will offer businesses a choice of apprentices that meet their needs, and then employ the apprentice directly on the business’s behalf, cutting down on paperwork and removing much of the employer’s risk. Partner colleges will deliver the learning either through day release or, where appropriate, on site courses.
Cathy Diver, head of Reading College’s IT unit, is one of the company’s first clients, having used The apprentice agency to secure its first ICT apprentices:
“We are excited to take part in The apprentice agency scheme. We needed to expand the team to cover first line support for the IT helpdesk.
As an employer I strongly support the approach, because it’s difficult to get into the IT industry without previous job experience. I expect this will help the industry – often made up of small employers - to uncover “IT gems”. Another clear benefit of offering apprenticeships is that we keep our staff costs down, enabling the college to invest any savings into technology improvements.”
The apprentice agency aims to place 300 apprentices within the first 12 months of operation. Initially, three apprenticeships are on offer: IT technician, Business Administrator (including financial admin), and IT User. However The apprentice agency will expand its offer to meet local employers’ needs.
“We’ve launched with these courses first because every business needs administrative and IT support, and many don’t realise that apprenticeship is an option when they are looking to fill these roles,” said Phil Jefferies, Manager of The apprentice agency.
“We would love businesses to tell us what their skills needs are, so The apprentice agency can grow our offer. The service is completely employer-led, and available to help businesses source and manage a high quality apprentice.”
Sally Dicketts, Principal of Reading and Oxford and Cherwell Valley Colleges, commented on the new offer: “In my view, apprenticeships raise students’ learning and future job prospects to a higher level, and many businesses report back on a whole range of benefits that apprentices bring.
“We encourage businesses to get in touch with The apprentice agency, to discuss the benefits, particularly in terms of time and cost, that it can offer them.”
Businesses interested in learning more about The apprentice agency should visit www.theapprenticeagency.co.uk or call 0845 680 8254.
