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Semta invites young people in Sheffield to discover apprenticeships : News from Semta

– A chance to meet apprentices on 29th March at The Source training –

Sector Skills Council Semta will join forces with the National Apprenticeship Service and Sheffield and Rotherham’s Local Authorities with an event to encourage more young people to consider an apprenticeship.

The event, hosted at The Source – a purpose built training centre in Sheffield – will give local students over the age of 16 an opportunity to discover the benefits of becoming an apprentice, as well as the chance to meet local employers keen to take on apprentices.

Semta Apprenticeship Director Bill Twigg said: “Apprenticeships in engineering and manufacturing offer young people a fantastic opportunity to learn while they earn and enjoy a challenging and rewarding career. Employers want to take on and train bright young people so this is a great opportunity for A level students to find out more about an exciting alternative to university.

“Our research shows that 5,300 scientists, engineers and technologists need to be recruited in Yorkshire and Humber by 2016 and apprenticeships will be central to their development.”

The event is expected to attract more than 120 local young people and will see Semta Apprenticeship Ambassadors and local employers explain the role of an apprentice and the benefits apprenticeships can offer. Semta supports individual companies and apprentices through its Apprenticeship Service which recruits, trains and quality assures programmes, making the whole process easier and more effective for businesses.

Bill Twigg concludes: “Apprenticeships are a proven route to develop the technical skills needed in our sectors due to an ageing workforce. We are working with engineering and manufacturing employers in Sheffield to help them get the best possible return on apprenticeship investment from apprentices. We are also continuing to work with partners such as The National Apprenticeship Service and The Apprenticeship Ambassadors Network to implement innovative ways of overcoming the perceived barriers to take-up.”

Semta has teamed up with leading employers and the National Apprenticeship Service to launch the Apprentice Ambition – a 10 point plan designed to take the number of advanced and higher level apprenticeship registrations from 8,000 to 16,000 by 2016 by overcoming the barriers to take up. The Ambition is specifically designed to make taking on an apprentice easier for all.

Engineering and manufacturing employers interested in finding out more about the benefits of taking on an apprentice should contact Semta Customer Services on customerservices or visit www.semta.org.uk

Paul Champion
Strategic Project Manager

Mobile: 07540 704920