100 Days Apprenticeship Challenge

22 April 2013, 05:53 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

A new campaign's being launched in the North East to try and find as many apprenticeships as possible in 100 days.

The National Apprenticeship Service and North East Chamber of Commerce have teamed up to find as many apprenticeships as possible in the North East in 100 days - starting today.

Helen Hayes, a policy advisor from NECC's been speaking to Capital's reporter Anna Harding

Apprenticeships In The North East

Here's some answers to questions about apprenticeships in the region

How many apprenticeships are there in the North East?
Most recent figures suggest regional apprenticeship successes (people completing the training) are above the national average, up from 11,820 in 2009/10 to 13,260 for 2010/11.

An 11% increase regionally and 5% nationally. While there are no official numbers for the total number of people in apprenticeships in the North East, ONS statistics show they are thriving in England.

In the last year, a record half a million people started an apprenticeship, an increase of 13.9% on the previous year.

Is the number increasing?
Yes - nationally by 13.9% for starts on the previous year, with the above table demonstrating success rates regionally. NECC has increased its own apprenticeship recruitment by 20% in recent years.

Why?
There are various reasons for the increase, but the main factor appears to be the impact of university fees. However, apprenticeships have become more diverse, with an increasing number of businesses recognising the benefit of apprenticeships.

For many companies apprenticeships are a critical way of training young people and adults to fill specific roles within their organisations, helping both the individual and business develop together.

What are most popular/least popular industries?
Some of the most popular Apprenticeships at present are: Engineering, Business Administration, Construction and Hospitality.

There are more than 250 different types of Apprenticeships available offering over 1,400 job roles, ranging from accountancy to textiles, engineering to veterinary nursing, business administration to construction

Who pays for apprenticeships?
The government provides the funds via agencies such as NECC and National Apprenticeship Service to cover the full cost of the mandatory training required for a young person aged 16-18 on an Apprenticeship.

If employers or providers choose to deliver additional qualifications or courses as part of the overall framework then these courses will not be funded and will be paid for by the provider or employer.

We also support employers through the process of recruiting and training a candidate, including signposting them to providers and advising on the Apprenticeship frameworks available.

(Info supplied by NECC)