On Monday 11th August, the High Sheriff of Shropshire, Robert Bland, visited a variety of Apprenticeship employers to meet them and their Apprentices.
As part of his year as the High Sheriff, Robert’s main focuses are young people, small businesses, training and education and entrepreneurship. His main goal is to improve the links between businesses and training providers and colleges in order to increase career opportunities for young people living in the county.
Robert has been working closely with Shropshire Council’s County Training, to help get the initiative up and running. As the one of the largest private training providers in Shropshire, County Training were able to provide him with real examples of how work-based training programmes, such as Apprenticeships are already benefiting both young people and their employers.Robert, along with Kevin Humphreys, from County Training, visited Dyke Yaxley, Thornton’s Solicitors and Bespoke Construction Ltd to find out more about the importance and value of such training programmes. All three businesses currently employ or are in the process of recruiting Apprentices and have previously supported candidates into permanent roles with very promising career prospects.
Previously Chairman for The Princes Trust, Robert has a real passion for helping young people achieve their aspirations, commenting, “It has been wonderful to have an insight into the difference Apprenticeships are really making in Shropshire. The young people I have met have all travelled so far during their training and have very bright futures ahead of them. This is a huge testament to the small businesses that employ them – through investing time and establishing a good working relationship with County Training, they have been able to mould and develop their Apprentices to fit their business needs.” He goes on to add “the world of work is radically changing and we are moving towards a future where more young people will be working in or as a small business from an earlier age. Apprenticeships ensure they are getting the skills and experience they need to be effective and help secure the county’s future prosperity.”
County Training are currently supporting over 500 people through Apprenticeships and have excellent links with schools, colleges and Shropshire businesses. They deliver a range of courses and programmes to 16-24 year olds, to support them with reaching their future goals, whether this is securing an Apprenticeship, work experience, or developing employability skills. They also work to help unemployed adults secure work opportunities offering similar services to help them prepare for employment once again.
Councillor Ann Hartley, Portfolio Holder for Children Services, Transformation and Safeguarding at Shropshire Council says “We are delighted to see that Robert Bland is so committed to working towards improving the futures of young people and small businesses in the county.”
If you are looking for an Apprenticeship, or are an employer looking to find out more about this training programme, please get in contact with County Training. There are currently grants available of up to £1500 for those that employ less that 1000 staff to support the recruitment of an Apprentice. Contact 0345 6789023 or email countytraining@shropshire.gov.uk