Member Article

New apprentice academy plans for North Tyneside

One of Britain’s most innovative young companies is planning a brand new ’apprentice academy’ for the North East.

North Tyneside-based insurance provider insurethebox has teamed up with North Tyneside Council and the North Tyneside Learning Trust, to offer new training, development and employment opportunities as part of the company’s ambitious strategy for growth.

Insurethebox have a Customer Service Centre at the Quorum Business Park in Longbenton, North Tyneside.

Their plans include the creation of up to 100 employment and apprenticeship opportunities over the next 12 months through a new ‘apprentice academy’ at the centre, as well the sponsorship of employees through higher education and skills training.

The new partnership between insurethebox, North Tyneside Council and the North Tyneside Learning Trust will see the council and learning trust actively supporting insurethebox with their recruitment and expansion needs.

Insurethebox will work directly with schools in the North Tyneside Learning Trust and will access support from the Trust to develop apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programmes, as well as build links with Northumbria University – also a Trust partner – to sponsor students through their higher education studies. Talks are now underway between the partners to establish the detail of the arrangements.

Elected Mayor of North Tyneside, Mrs Linda Arkley said: “We are delighted that a young and innovative company such as insurethebox has demonstrated its commitment to expansion in the borough.

“This partnership arrangement to offer training, development and employment opportunities for our young people is great move, and in the future we would like to see this kind of working replicated with as many of our local employers as possible.”

Jason Tipton, Head of Operations at insurethebox, said: “The North East is a great place to do business, and the support from North Tyneside Council and North Tyneside Learning Trust is making it possible for us to continue to grow – meaning more opportunities for young people to begin careers in a new, innovative and rapidly expanding business.”

HR Manager for insurethebox, Claire Edwards, added: “There is a wealth of able, enthusiastic young people locally and this partnership will allow insurethebox to work directly with local schools, colleges and universities to recruit and develop talent for our business.”

And David Baldwin, Head of Churchill Community College and Chair of the North Tyneside Learning Trust, said: “This partnership will offer genuine new opportunities for our young people, and we are looking forward to linking-up with insurethebox and introducing them to the talented and able young people we have in North Tyneside.”

Launched in June 2010, insurethebox has pioneered the use of mileage-based telematics motor insurance, especially for young drivers; policyholders who drive well are rewarded with extra bonus miles in order to encourage safe driving.

Insurethebox was recently named as one of the ‘Future 50’ - the fifty most innovative young companies in Britain - by Real Business and Red Bull.

The North Tyneside Learning Trust brings together 36 of the borough’s schools with partners from the public and private sector, in a formal Trust relationship, to inspire young learners and enhance education and career opportunities in North Tyneside.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Nicola Sleightholme .