APPRENTICESHIPS in East Sussex will be given a boost this week as Consrevative-led East Sussex County Council supports National Apprenticeship Week.
As well as highlighting the national campaign, the county council is reminding small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) about the support available to assist with their organisation’s skills and training needs.
The Transform Skills Toolkit provides a step-by-step guide for businesses thinking of taking on an apprentice or investing in other skills training.
The online resource from the county council’s Transform programme has been developed by delivery partner, Sussex Council of Training Providers (SCTP), to help SMEs understand what opportunities are available and how to access them.
The toolkit looks at the benefits and opportunities of investing in skills development and highlights key workforce planning questions businesses may want to consider, as well as listing support agencies and websites that can provide further information and advice.
Conservative councillor Bob Standley, East Sussex County Council’s lead member for education and inclusion, special educational needs and disability, said: “I am delighted that we are once again supporting National Apprenticeship Week.
“Many micro, small and medium-sized businesses in East Sussex want to invest in apprenticeships but they can struggle to understand what funded opportunities are available. That’s where the Transform Skills Toolkit can help, and I strongly encourage local SMEs to find out more about the resources they may be able to access to help them establish apprenticeship opportunities within their business.”
The Transform project was launched in 2021 and aims to increase the take up and knowledge of apprenticeships, traineeships and skills training among SMEs across the county.
The Hastings Advice and Representation Centre (HARC) is a St Leonards based charity that works to relieve local poverty through an accessible advice and advocacy service. HARC has been supported by the Transform programme to take on two apprentices, providing opportunities for two young adults to get back into work and start learning again.
Polegate-based electrical firm CDS Electrical regularly has one or two apprentices working for the company.
Defiant Sports in Eastbourne offers inclusive sporting opportunities for children and adults who face barriers to participation due to disabilities or long-term conditions. To date, the company has facilitated two coaching apprenticeships with support from Transform.
Employers can employ apprentices at different levels, from school leavers and university graduates, to people who want to further their careers or change career direction completely. Businesses can hire someone new or upskill an existing employee, and government funding is available to help pay for apprenticeship training.
Employers can find out more about accessing apprenticeships and funding through the Transform Skills Toolkit at www.sctp.org.uk/transform-skills-toolkit
SMEs in East Sussex who would like support accessing apprenticeships and funding can contact [email protected] for advice and guidance.
