Member Article

Plea for support from north east businesses

Access Training is appealing to businesses for support for young people enrolling on the government’s recently-launched Traineeships programme.

It is estimated that a quarter of sixth formers return to school only because they can’t secure an apprenticeship or a fulltime job. A lack of work experience is one of the main reasons young people can’t find employment and Traineeships aim to address this.

Traineeships last up to six months, include a three-month work experience placement, work preparation training including job search and interviewing skills and tutoring in English and maths. The scheme aims to develop the skills and experience young people need to be attractive to employers.

To ensure Traineeships are delivered to a high standard only training providers rated as outstanding or good by Ofsted can provide them. Access Training, which has offices in Gateshead and Chester-le-Street, has been selected as a preferred provider.

Access is appealing to north east businesses who can provide three-month work placements to come forward. The firm is particularly interested in hearing from employers who can offer placements in office based roles, in storage and warehousing, manufacturing and hair and beauty.

Managing director at Access Training, Malcolm Armstrong, said: “Young people looking for a job or an apprenticeship often face the dilemma of needing good work experience to get a job, but not being able to get a job to give them that work experience. Some end up back in school and adapt to their new studies and progress to university, but a large number subsequently drop out of education and find themselves back at square one. Traineeships will hopefully be a lifeline for young people who want to work.

“We would love to hear from companies who want to be involved in this important programme, giving young people the opportunity and support to start successful careers.”

Access Training has training centres at Bridge End in Chester-le-Street and at Team Valley in Gateshead. The company recently acquired Durham Training, has 30 staff and works with 1,000 learners and over 200 local businesses each year.

For information about Traineeships contact Valerie or Nicola on 0191 490 4652 or email info@accesstraining.org

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Jill Farmer (Dobson) .