Apprenticeships aim to drive-up sector specific skills

March 1, 2019

Businesses across the Marches are being encouraged to steer the next generation of talent by helping to drive-up sector specific skills through the recruitment of 3,000 apprentices.

The call comes during National Apprenticeship Week and as part of the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership’s (LEP) continued investment in ensuring skilled and flexible workforces across Herefordshire, Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin.

To date, it has invested £5.7 million in a range of projects to increase the number of apprenticeships across the region. 

Case study: Arctic Circle

And by 2021 it aims to have delivered more than 3,000 new apprenticeship starts across the Marches with investment through the Growth Deal.

Gill Hamer, Marches LEP director, said apprenticeships offered multiple benefits to businesses but in particular they played a significant role in enhancing sector-specific skills.

She said: “Apprenticeships are an excellent way for businesses to fill skills gaps within their workforce and maintain their competitive edge.

Case study: Marches Centre for Manufacturing & Technology

“For the last 18 months we, alongside key partners, have been working with companies across various sectors to increase apprentices in the workplace and all have seen positive results and a significant return on investment.

“For business owners, the mix of on-site and off-site work and training undertaken by apprentices means their workforce is developing the skills that work best for their business.

“It’s a very cost-effective way to boost productivity and efficiency within a business but can also help businesses to develop a more flexible and diverse workforce.”

You can contact the LEP by emailing enquiries@marcheslep.org.uk

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The Marches Local Enterprise Partnership has now ceased trading and transferred all its functions to Shropshire Council working with Telford & Wrekin Council and Herefordshire Council, in line with the UK Government's plans for devolution.

The Marches LEP was established in 2011 and hands over an impressive legacy from its 13-year life. In that time the LEP invested over £196m in projects across the Marches, securing in excess of £100m of match funding and supported more than 66,000 business interactions.

The schemes supported have made tangible differences to local communities, increasing skills, creating jobs and improving the physical appearance of many towns.

We would like to thank all the LEP Board Members who have given their time freely over the life of the LEP, as well as all the staff who worked for the LEP over the years. We also want to thank our delivery partners, local education providers and local, regional and national stakeholders who helped us achieve so much.

The Marches Growth Hub will continue to support businesses and will be managed by Shropshire Council, supported by Telford and Wrekin and Herefordshire Councils. Each of the three Local Authorities will also continue to provide direct business support locally. Details of this support will be available through the Marches Growth Hub website and from the Local Authorities directly. Website: www.marchesgrowthhub.co.uk | email: enquiries@marchesgrowthhub.co.uk.

The Marches Careers Hub will continue to be delivered and will be managed by Shropshire Council, supported by Telford & Wrekin and Herefordshire Councils. Website: www.marchescareershub.co.uk | email: info@marchescareershub.co.uk

For any queries about Getting Building Fund (GBF), Local Growth Fund (LGF) and Marches Investment Fund (MIF) projects supported by the Marches LEP please contact: gary.spence@shropshire.gov.uk

For any finance queries please contact: michelle.hodgkiss@shropshire.gov.uk

The solvent liquidation of the Marches LEP is being managed by the Evelyn Partners Limited. For any matter related to this please contact: Camilla.Mulholland@evelyn.com

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