Swindon Borough Council has thrown its support behind National Apprenticeship Week by adopting an action plan, which aims to increase the number of apprenticeships in the Borough and by firmly positioning apprenticeships in its Inclusion, Early Years, Education and Skills Strategy as a clear alternative to academic pathways.
A new Apprenticeship Action Plan developed through the Council’s Growing the Economy Overview and Scrutiny Committee, was also endorsed and sets out a number of objectives designed to increase the take-up of apprentices in Swindon.
The action plan focuses on helping firms overcome any barriers to employing apprentices, promoting apprenticeship opportunities within Swindon’s schools and further education colleges, and extending the Young Apprentice Ambassador Network in Swindon.
Apprenticeships offer a different way to learn new skills and support the need for a diverse provision that enables young people and residents to gain skills and qualifications.
The Council currently employs 77 apprentices, which represents 2.5 per cent of the local authority’s workforce and is higher than the national target and last year throughout the town a total of 1,280 apprentices were employed.
Throughout National Apprenticeship Week which this year is 8th – 14th February, the Council has organised a series of one-hour drop-in sessions for Year 11-13 students in Swindon so they can ask questions of local employers and their young apprentices during National Apprenticeship Week.
Each day will focus on a different sector, including construction, digital, science and engineering, health and social care and professional services.
Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership, as a key partner in the action plan, has also committed to running a marketing campaign, targeting parents and students, to increase awareness of apprenticeships as a key career choice.
Councillor Russell Holland, Deputy Leader of Swindon Borough Council and Cabinet Member for Commercialisation, Education and Skills, said: “Apprenticeships offer fantastic career pathways for people of all ages to gain skills and qualifications through a vocational work-based learning approach.
“They also allow employers to plug any skills gaps they may have and give them the opportunity to invest in their workforce. Our council has made a firm commitment to promoting apprenticeships as an important learning pathway in Swindon and we are proud to support National Apprenticeship Week.
The Council is looking for Swindon-based employers to join its Swindon Apprenticeship Network, which gives local firms the chance to meet to discuss apprenticeships and to share best practice.
Employers who would like to get involved should email: msullivan@swindon.gov.uk
A new Apprenticeship Action Plan developed through the Council’s Growing the Economy Overview and Scrutiny Committee, and led by Councillors Kevin and Barbara Parry, was also endorsed and sets out a number of objectives designed to increase the take-up of apprentices in Swindon.
The action plan focuses on helping firms overcome any barriers to employing apprentices, promoting apprenticeship opportunities within Swindon’s schools and further education colleges, and extending the Young Apprentice Ambassador Network in Swindon.
Anyone wishing to find out more information on how to access apprenticeships and other forms of education and training, should visit the Pathways into Employment pages at: https://localoffer.swindon.gov.uk/pathwaysintoemployment
