Member Article

Partnership brings new opportunities for apprentices

Coast & Country has developed a partnership with the North East Chamber of Commerce (NECC) to assist unemployed people in to work by creating apprenticeship and work experience opportunities.

The partnership will enable Coast & Country to create 15 apprentice places to start in February as well as offering 30 work placements throughout the year in collaboration with the NECC.

The apprenticeships will be split into three categories. Seven places will be available in trades such as bricklaying and joinery. The remaining places will be on offer in both business administration and housing.

As part of the project, Coast & Country’s Westfield Farm Community Resource Centre will play host to the NECC’s ‘Programme for the Unemployed’ classes, which will help prepare unemployed people for the transition into work. The programme will deliver pre-apprenticeship support and fill the gap between worklessness and employment.

By partnering with the NECC, Coast & Country will be able to access a network of support that meets both its own needs and those of unemployed individuals, meaning the overall process is as streamlined, effective and successful as possible.

Iain Sim, Chief Executive of Coast & Country, one of the largest housing and regeneration companies in the North East, said: “Being able to offer the opportunity for 15 new apprentices to join our existing team of 19 is very important to us. The unemployment rate is extremely high at present, and by creating these positions, it shows our commitment to assisting the communities in which we operate.

“Our partnership with the North East Chamber of Commerce exemplifies how the pooling of resources and expertise can unlock a wealth of new opportunities for unemployed people in our areas.”

Each apprentice will receive full support throughout their apprenticeship including assistance in developing employability skills

James Ramsbotham, Chief Executive of the NECC, said: “This partnership is built for success as the strong points of both organisations complement each other perfectly. This will enable us to get down to the ground work of creating more employment opportunities in the most efficient way possible.

“Reducing the number of unemployed people in the North East is the key to the economic prosperity of the region. By working on projects such as this one with Coast & Country, we are constantly edging closer to seeing the North East prosper economically.”

Westfield Farm offers training, meeting and conference facilities, community gardens and allotments, and a residents’ resource centre.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Recognition PR Business Team .