Yorkshire firms launch apprenticeship schemes

Yorkshire Building Society has launched a search for new apprentices across the region to come and work for one of the UK’s largest building societies as National Apprenticeship Week begins today.

The Society is offering up to 24 apprenticeships in a number of key business areas including IT, Customer Services, Project Management and Cyber Security predominantly at its Yorkshire based, Leeds and Bradford main office sites.

Robert Halliwell, who joined Yorkshire Building Society on a degree apprenticeship last year, said: “The initial attraction of joining Yorkshire Building Society was its sheer size and reputation.

“I turned down my secured university place, and haven’t looked back since. It’s by far the best opportunity I’ve had to date. Not only are the fees of studying towards my degree at Leeds Beckett University paid for, but I’m also gaining valuable work experience in a professional organisation while earning a salary.”

Andy Tupman, emerging talent manager at Yorkshire Building Society, added: “We’re committed to providing great career pathways for our apprentices and fostering an inclusive culture for them to thrive.

“For us, there’s no such thing as a typical apprentice. You could be just out of school, looking to change your career, newly graduated or just out of retirement. There’s no average age, no average background and no experience required – we would much rather find applicants with the right values and passion for exceeding customer expectations.”

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Automotive data and technology company cap hpi has launched an apprenticeship scheme to support the next generation of digital talent in Leeds.

The company’s global headquarters is based in Leeds, and its 350 employees provide data and software that keep motorists and the automotive industry moving.

The four new apprentices will work in the software department, and if successful, will be offered a full-time job. The company plans to operate an annual intake of up to 10 apprentices.

The apprentices Wesley Spellman, Holly Anusic, Zahid Rahman and Alex Maughan, are aged between 18 and 23.

Amanda Hardcastle, head of human resources at cap hpi said: “As a growing international business we are constantly looking to recruit and retain the best talent our region has to offer. The new apprenticeship scheme aims to inspire the next generation of talent that will support our growth in the UK, and overseas.”

The company is part of global automotive giant Solera, which operates in 85 countries around the World. It works with vehicle manufacturers, fleet operators and finance companies to provide essential data and a wide range of technology.

Alex Maughan said: “I’m looking forward to working with a great team, where our data keeps motorists safe when they buy or sell a car. Everyone has been really supportive, and I’m looking forward to getting stuck in.”

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The West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP) have funded almost 4,000 new apprenticeships in just two years, according to latest figures.

Paid for through the LEP Apprenticeship Grant for Employers (AGE) programme, 2,633 16 to 18-year-olds and 1,201 19 to 24-year-olds were supported to get a head start in their chosen careers between August 2015 and July 2017.

Total funding exceeded £6.5m as young people were supported into apprenticeships in local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across West Yorkshire and York. Sectors supported include manufacturing (281 firms received a grant), construction (691 firms) and information and communication (126 firms), among others.

The AGE programme was successful in supporting firms that had never employed an apprentice before, with three quarters of all businesses engaged (2,204) receiving funding for their first apprenticeship. Latest figures show that, despite being home to more than 120,000 businesses, only 20% of Leeds City Region firms have ever offered an apprenticeship.

Money for the programme came from the first wave of devolution funding handed to West Yorkshire Combined Authority in 2015. Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe, Chair of West Yorkshire Combined Authority, said:“Apprenticeships are a great way to earn while you learn and I’d encourage anyone who is looking to kick start their career considers them as an alternative way into long-term employment.

“Our AGE programme proves how powerful devolved funding and devolved decision making is for local economies. West Yorkshire and York now have almost 1,400 extra apprentices in our key skills sectors, which is important for sustainable growth that benefits everyone.

“It is essential that further funding and more powers are made available so we can help even more talented young people who grow up in Leeds City Region access the training and careers that both suit them and strengthen our economy.”

Roger Marsh OBE, Chair of the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP), said: “By investing £6.5m over two years, we have helped almost 4,000 young people get a foot on the ladder in their chosen career while also ensuring that apprenticeships are being offered where the City Region economy needs them most.

“Businesses and young people both benefit when apprenticeships are successful and I am delighted that more than 2,200 firms brought in their first ever apprentice with our support.”

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Meanwhile, despite the number of new apprenticeships started in Britain falling last year, new research released from business and financial adviser Grant Thornton UK LLP, finds that attitudes towards apprenticeship programmes are becoming more positive.

According to provisional government statistics released in February 2018, apprenticeship starts for the first quarter of the 2017/18 academic year decreased by 26.5% compared to figures reported at this time in 2016/17. However, the decrease was not as large as the drop between quarter four 2015/16 and quarter four 2016/17.

The ‘Generation Apprentice’ report from Grant Thornton suggests there is an ongoing evolution in the way apprenticeships are viewed, with more employers, young people and parents recognising apprenticeship programmes as a valuable route in to a successful career.

The research report, which surveyed 1,000 young people (aged 16-25) and 1,000 parents (of under 18s), revealed:

  • 77% of young people and 79% of parents think that apprenticeships offer good career prospects
  • Almost half (42%) of young people think apprenticeships and university degrees have the same value
  • 45% of parents think a university degree delivers less value than it used to
  • Two thirds (60%) of young people think that you do not need to go to university to get a well-paid job
  • Half (51%) of the young respondents who are currently at university do not believe their degree guarantees them a well-paid job.

The report also investigated the attitudes of 500 UK employers that qualify for the Apprenticeship Levy  – those with a pay bill of more than £3m. The employer findings, developed in partnership with City & Guilds, showed a similarly positive sentiment about hiring apprentices.

Andy Wood, managing partner at Grant Thornton Yorkshire, said: “At Grant Thornton, around 15% of the firm’s 4,751 people are currently in earn and learn development programmes and around 6% are using apprenticeships.

“Here at Grant Thornton in Yorkshire we are passionate about giving people of all ages and backgrounds an opportunity to join us, to learn and develop, and we very much see apprenticeships as a key part of their career journeys with us. We are proud to have 20 of our people following apprenticeships with us.”

 

 

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