Firms to meet potential new apprentices (From Ledbury Reporter)

Firms to meet potential new apprentices

2:00pm Saturday 9th March 2013 in News

BUSINESSES interested in taking on an apprentice are being invited to meet some of the county’s young hopefuls.

Employers will be able to talk to 16 to 18-year-olds at the Three Counties Hotel during a conference being held as part of National Apprenticeship Week.

Councillor Roger Phillips, Herefordshire Council’s cabinet member for enterprise and culture, said apprenticeships were a way to tackle unemployment and boost the local economy.

“There are many developments on the horizon across the county, and we need to make sure we are training our young people in the services and industries where we are going to need to recruit in the future,” he said.

“Following a similar event last year we set a challenge to generate 100 apprenticeships in 100 days.

“Herefordshire employers rose to the challenge and surpassed this target, generating 183 opportunities.

“It was a major success and we are hoping to do the same again this year.”

The free event is being organised by the council in partnership with Allpay, the National Apprenticeship Service and Herefordshire Training Providers Association.

It takes place on Tuesday from 8am.