35 employers pledge support in 25 days

Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC) has reached day 25 of its campaign to generate 100 Apprenticeship opportunities in 100 days and so far a total of 35 employers have pledged their support.

Two local employers have placed Apprentices, five employers have vacancies that the College is currently recruiting for, ten employers have appointments pending with the College and a further 18 have expressed an interest in recruiting an Apprentice.

Vicky Boulton-Clarke, Head of Employer Engagement and Work Based Learning at NULC, said: “It’s fantastic to have had such a positive response from local employers after just 25 days.  It shows that there is definitely an appetite for Apprenticeships in the Newcastle-under-Lyme borough.”

The College and partners launched the ambitious campaign to generate 100 Apprenticeship opportunities in 100 days on Friday 15 March.  The campaign, spearheaded by Newcastle Borough Council MP Paul Farrelly and backed by local training provider Martec, the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS), Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council and Stoke and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) will try and address youth unemployment issues locally.

The Hanley Economic Building Society is one of the employers that have placed an Apprentice.  Cristina Hammond, Human Resources manager said: “The recruitment service that we received from the College was second to none and our accounting Apprentice started work with us on 2 April.”

MP Paul Farrelly invited businesses in his constituency to the launch event.  Paul said: “From talking to local employers I am aware of the problems many have in attracting and developing the best talent. Recruiting the right trainees and developing their skills on the job is one way of securing the workforce necessary to expand and grow.” 

Paul continued: “The ultimate aim of the campaign is to boost youth employment and kick-start economic recovery.  The business involvement to date proves that we are making a difference.”

NULC currently provides Apprenticeships in more than a dozen areas including Accounting, Business and Administration, Construction, Childcare, Electrical Installation, Engineering, Hairdressing, Health and Social Care, Retail and IT.

To find out more about Newcastle-under-Lyme College’s Apprenticeships campaign visit www.nulc.ac.uk/100, email employers@nulc.ac.uk or contact the Employer Training team on 01782 254376.