APPRENTICES and employers from Worcester held a virtual roundtable discussion to highlight the value of apprenticeships to both learners and businesses, with Robin Walker MP as guest speaker.
The event was organised to mark National Apprenticeship Week and to focus on the hope on-the-job learning apprenticeships provide can become viewed as prestigious as university for school leavers.
As well as funding new apprenticeships in levy-paying employers, income from the levy is used to fund new apprenticeships in employers which do not pay the levy, as well as existing apprentices that started in previous years.
Worcester MP Robin Walker said: “Apprenticeships give young people a great way to learn while they are working and earning.
“For employers, apprentices bring passion and energy into their business and are a great way to get the skilled work force they need.
“That is why I want every school leaver to view an apprenticeship or going to university on equal terms.
“Apprenticeships has no doubt contributed to the incredibly positive employment statistics for young people in Worcester, which last month showed the number of unemployed young people to be significantly lower than when I was elected to Parliament in 2010,” he added.
Iain Salisbury runs Aspiration Training, a training provider working with young people in Worcester.
He said: “National Apprenticeship Week is a great opportunity to spread the word about apprenticeships. More and more people now recognise apprenticeships are an equal academic route to A levels and university.
“They help people develop their careers both as a young person entering the workforce but also in later life as people develop their skills or change careers.
“Employers across Worcestershire and the UK see the benefits of Apprenticeships in filling vacancies and developing the skills they need in the workforce.
“Apprenticeships truly help us build the future.”
