More Staffordshire firms are needed for a pioneering apprenticeship programme creating much-needed employment for young people, and helping businesses make the most of social media marketing.
Interested companies are invited to find out more on Friday, January 27, at the Roman Way Hotel in Cannock.
SSC Learning from Hednesford and Passionate Media, based in Bridgtown, have joined forces to offer the apprenticeship scheme which is about to begin its second programme of trainees.
Training specialists SSC Learning are now looking for local businesses interested in taking on an apprentice to handle their digital marketing. Throughout their apprenticeship, the young people will receive training and support from media specialists, Passionate Media.
The first round of eleven apprentices, who are aged 16-19, were taken on in September, and are already achieving great results for their employers. Each of their places cost around £2,500 to £4,500, and are funded by the Government’s Skills Funding Agency.
The apprentices and their employers, along with representatives from SSC and Passionate Media are holding a presentation to businesses on January 13, to help show interested firms just how much can be gained by taking on an apprentice.
The second programme, which commenced in early January, has 15 new apprentices now seeking employers, six of whom are aged between 19 and 24.
“We didn't want to continue excluding keen 20-somethings, just because the funding is linked to age – the older apprentices have so much to offer,” explained Ian Shephard, managing co-director of SSC.
“We decided instead to raise the group size, which would allow us to accommodate a third of the group as 19 to 24-year-olds. We think this will be of even greater benefit to employers, as we feel the older candidates will bring a maturity to the group dynamic, and lead the way in terms of their attitude to studying and business.”
Mr Shephard explained that news of the success of the first group of apprentices is already proving a help in recruiting young people for future programmes, and hopes there will be a similar effect on businesses, once they have seen what can be achieved.
“We're finding that apprentices are being referred to us by the Young Peoples’ Service, and by one another. Word-of-mouth is starting to build, and we are confident the same will apply amongst employers as the momentum of the programme starts to build,” he said.
“We are now actively seeking more South Staffordshire employers to become involved, and again, are confident once they have spoken to our apprentices, and to employers who are now reaping the rewards of having become part of the programme, that we are going to see a huge rise in demand from firms wanting to take on apprentices of their own.”
Firms interested in finding out more about the social media marketing apprenticeships are invited along to the presentation on Friday January 27th, which is being held at the Roman Way Hotel on the A5, from 12.00 noon. The presentation, which will include testimonials from existing apprentices, and their employers, will begin at 12.30 pm and will be followed by a complimentary buffet. All of the new apprentices will be present, and hoping to speak to prospective employers, along with their trainers.
For more information, ring Mr Shephard on 01543 448300 or Carol Garrington, Passionate Media, on 01543 468621.
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