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National Apprenticeship Week: The view from the North East

National Apprenticeship Week is a government-led initiative, aiming to highlight the importance of apprenticeships and the benefits for young people, businesses and ultimately the economy. So what impact has the week had on North East SMEs? Do the region’s businesses share the government’s belief in apprenticeships? We’ve put together a roundup of news and opinion from across the region this week.

Monumental Training

Sunderland-based Monumental Training marked National Apprenticeship Week by hosting a range of workshops, motivational talks and industry specific open days, as part of the nationwide campaign, celebrating apprenticeships and the positive impact that they have on individuals, businesses and the wider community.

Chris Hall, Sales Director at Monumental Training said: “For us, National Apprenticeship Week presents the perfect opportunity to promote the work that we do around facilitating innovative and inspirational training, apprenticeship schemes, and opportunities for those looking to change career or simply learn something new.”

AIS Training

Dozens of youngsters from North Tyneside got a taste of what it might be like to work in the global energy sector this week thanks to AIS Training.

65 young people aged 15-18 from schools such as Monkseaton High, Seaton Burn College, Norham High and Burnside Business and Enterprise College visited AIS’s state-of-the-art training village in North Shields as part of national apprenticeship week to try out some of the activities on offer.

AIS company founder Paul Stonebanks said: “We really wanted to mark national apprenticeship week by hosting an inspirational event for young people. I started out as an apprentice myself and believe passionately in creating a supportive business environment where young talent can thrive.

Advantex Network Solutions Ltd

Advantex Network Solutions Ltd, the Gateshead-based communications specialists, linked-up with City of Sunderland College and New College Durham to train seven new apprentices, working towards gaining their Level 3 vocational qualifications.

One apprentice, Michael Wigham, said: “I’ve already learned a lot in the few weeks that I’ve been with the company. It’s really interesting and it’s definitely where I see my future career going.

“I’m on track for a rewarding and sustainable career that really suits my skills and abilities, while Advantex is a great employer. I look forward to becoming fully qualified.”

Monpellier Ltd

Working in partnership with the North East Chamber of Commerce (NECC), Monpellier Ltd appointed an accounting technician apprentice as the firm continues to expand. Erin Simpson, 21, from Durham, completed her Level 2 Association of Accounting Technician’s qualification (AAT) at the NECC’s Newcastle centre earlier this month.

While studying for her AAT, Erin has worked alongside experienced accountants and technical experts at the Sunderland based firm which provides accounting software to businesses. Her appointment at Monpellier is reportedly a measure of the company’s success in training the next generation of accountants and IT specialists.

Erin commented on her apprenticeship success and said: “It’s great to have been given the opportunity by the NECC to work for a market leading company like Monpellier. Since day one, I have worked closely with the team who have outstanding knowledge when it comes to accountancy and IT solutions. I would highly recommend an apprenticeship to anyone looking to earn while they learn.”

Trailblazer

The north east’s automotive industry will kick-start the government’s pioneering Trailblazer apprenticeships later this year, with the first apprentices in place by the autumn.

Trailblazer is a government initiative aiming to transform apprenticeships as we know them. Designed and driven by businesses, the government wish for these apprenticeships to be alternative routes to university degrees.

The idea will be supported in the region by Sunderland based specialist training provider NAC Group, which is leading the way in delivering new generation apprenticeships.

The Wearside based business will be assisting the region’s automotive industry to deliver Trailblazer apprenticeships and looks set to be appointed as a national specialist supplier to the food manufacturing sector in its bid to deliver the new industry apprenticeship programme.

Paul Robson, managing director at NAC Group said: “Trailblazer will be one of the biggest changes to apprenticeships we have seen for decades.

“The automotive industry is one of the first industries to launch Trailblazers so we are very excited to be involved at the very beginning and are confident that this employer led approach will see apprenticeships gain the prestige and recognition they have elsewhere around the globe and that employers will be able to attract highly capable individuals who see them as a viable alternative to university degrees.”

Hartlepool College

Darren Hankey, Principal at Hartlepool College, fittingly concludes our roundup as he told us: “Simply put, apprentices are vital for businesses. Labour market intelligence highlights that 120,000 people who are working in the Tees Valley today won’t be in ten years’ time due to an ageing workforce.

“When these people leave the workforce they will take with them their knowledge, experience and skills. Many proactive businesses are using apprentices as a part of a longer-term workforce development strategy to plan for this skills attrition.

“Hartlepool College of Further Education is rightly proud of its long and well established track record in providing high quality apprenticeships. In engineering, in particular, the college works closely with organisations such as Tata Steel, Heerema, Wilton Engineering, Cummins Engines and JDR Cables to help meet their workforce development needs and counteract any skills shortages.

“I hope this year’s National Apprenticeship Week has encouraged more businesses to get involved and would urge anyone seeking more information to get in touch.”

Thanks to everyone who got in touch. Please note due to the high volume of content received we could not include all correspondence in the roundup. What are your thoughts on the week? Comments welcome below.