Around 120 young people are to be offered new apprenticeships, as part of an initiative being launched by Essex County Council.As part of the package of support it is providing to local businesses and residents through the economic downturn, Essex County Council is planning to create around 1000 new apprenticeships in both the public and private sectors over the next three years. Part-funded by the European Social Fund, the Essex Apprentice Project identifies engineering and manufacturing as the key sectors for growth in the county. The County Council has recognised the need to rebalance the provision of apprenticeships to reflect the development needs of the local economy, by increasing the number of placements available in these sectors.
Overall, apprenticeship places in Essex are down by 22% this year for 16-18 year olds. In the engineering sector the main reasons reported for reduced take-up are financial commitment and administrative costs, and the inability of smaller companies to offer the full breadth of experience that an apprentice n
eeds. The Essex Apprentice Project will de-risk companies by employing and paying the full costs for apprentices as they undertake a one year Level II apprenticeship in engineering. Apprentices will spend at least 12 weeks in the workplace, and will be rotated around local business clusters to provide the necessary breadth of vocational experience. For more information about the scheme, please click here or contact Glynis Argue at Essex County Council on 01245 438850.
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