This Sunday is World Youth Skills Day, a day which highlights the importance of equipping young people with the skills they need to make a smooth transition into the workplace.
Education and training are key when it comes to getting a young person work-ready. Here at The Growth Company, we’re very proud to be making a difference to the skills young people across Greater Manchester through our apprenticeships. To date for this academic year alone, we have got 683 16-18 year olds onto apprenticeships.
Despite a national downturn in the number of people enrolling onto apprenticeships, it’s crucial that we continue our work to buck this trend.
Our GMAC partnership (which recently celebrated its second birthday) has already been a great success, with 565 starts across over 80 apprenticeship standards. But it will play an even more pivotal role going forward.
Reducing skills shortages
We need to get more young people onto apprenticeships to help bridge the growing skills gaps in sectors where there are already shortages – such as the digital and STEM industries. Without skilled and qualified fresh talent, these industries will not be equipped to meet future demands.
Given the practical and hands-on nature of apprenticeships, they’re a great way for young people to get real industry experience and gain valuable qualifications along the way.
Graduates are coming out of university with a wealth of theoretical knowledge but very often with little work experience– and this is where apprenticeships come into their own.
We know that concerns around the Apprenticeship Levy have put some businesses off from offering apprenticeships at their organisation. Despite the concern, I continue to stress how important it is for businesses to utilise their Levy funds to recruit new talent; talent that can truly make a difference to the future of your organisation – and your industry.
The benefits of offering apprenticeships are endless: from attracting excellent new talent to boosting your bottom line, Apprentices will have a direct impact on your business from day one. And by the time their apprenticeship is complete, they’ll be in a position to pass on their knowledge to the next generation of apprentices.
I’d like to encourage businesses across Greater Manchester and beyond to offer apprenticeships to our young people - particularly those in industries with known skills shortages. You’ll be helping someone take the first step in their career, and also be doing your bit to nurture and shape the workforce of the future.
If you’d like to get involved, please get in touch with our team. They will be able to give you all the advice and guidance you need – from choosing the right apprenticeship to finding your new recruit. We’d love to have you on board.
Jayne Worthington
MD - GC Education & Skills
@GC_EduSkills
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