Businesses pledge to create more apprenticeships

For National Apprenticeship Week the Greater Brighton Employer Skills Task Force, has challenged the city’s employers to create at least 1,000 new apprenticeships in 1,000 days, and asked businesses to pledge their support.

The task force, formed from over 30 leading businesses and education providers in and around the city along with Brighton & Hove City Council, was set up in September 2015 to find ways to boost opportunities and productivity in the Greater Brighton region by growing a workforce with the skills that local businesses need.

Zac Toumazi, chief executive of Sussex Cricket and chair of the Employer Skills Task Force said: “Bringing together the Employer Skills Task Force has been an important step in addressing the issues we have as a city in respect to our low apprenticeship numbers. The pledge is one of the recommendations that came out of the work of the task force and it is critical that the business community gets behind the objective of at least 1,000 new apprenticeships in 1,000 days. We all have the chance to make a difference and I hope that we not only meet the target but exceed it.”

Making the pledge

During National Apprenticeships Week, Monday 14 March to Friday 18 March, employers will pledge to create apprenticeships, traineeships and other opportunities to help young people prepare for and enter the world of work. Businesses that have already made the pledge include Santander, The Argus, The Latest, The Hilton, The Grand, Sussex County Cricket Club, and Brighton & Hove City Council.

Councillor Tom Bewick, chair of the council’s children, young people and skills committee, said "I'm delighted that the business community has stepped up in this way. We can't create more apprenticeships without employers, so the fact a coalition of business and education leaders have come up with a practical plan for boosting skills opportunities in the city is fantastic news for young people and residents.

"It's also great to see the council, as a major employer, pledging to recruit hundreds of additional apprentices over the coming years. We are committed to making Greater Brighton the best city region in Britain for companies taking on apprentices."

Businesses will meet local apprentices to hear first-hand the difference apprenticeships can make, and pledge their support, at an event on Friday 18 March at Brighton Dome.

Find out more about National Apprenticeship Week, and how your business can pledge to support young people.