Apprenticeships are a great way for young people to enter the world of employment

BCOT has successfully recruited young people on apprenticeship programmes for employers in the Basingstoke area for several years.

The college specialises in developing and training employees in the skills needed for local businesses.

However, it is now able to offer training for your employees who are over 25, under the Adult Apprenticeship programme.

BCOT prides itself on working in partnership with employers and aims to be as flexible as possible.

Recruiting an apprentice will provide:

• access to students who have left school/college
• an in-depth initial assessment of the learner
• a time/cost-effective procedure for the recruitment of a young employee
• candidates who are keen to work and learn
• financial subsidy
• a new and improved way to get the skills and qualifications employers really want.

There is no restriction on the size of organisation as any employer can benefit from recruiting an apprentice.

Training staff to recognised standards helps to make a business more profitable and will go a long way to solving the problem of skills shortages.

BCOT's specialist areas are in construction, engineering, automotive, hairdressing, barbering, business administration, customer service, health & social care, children's care, learning & development and hospitality.

The benefits of training are:

• improved individual performance
• increased productivity
• improved confidence
• improved morale
• improved communication
• increased staff retention
• improved teamwork.

Rodger Thompson, site manager of Taylor Wimpey, said "It's important to put something back into the community.

"As older tradesmen retire, we need skills to replace them, otherwise there will be a skills gap"

Mr Thomson is the manager for apprentice Stuart Storey, who said: "Although I had my ups and downs, I would advise others to stick at it. It's worth it in the end. If you are thinking of a career in construction you need a trade."

For further information, contact Monica Lubbock-Smith on 01256 306336 or Julie Mardell on 01256 306284. Alternatively, e-mail monica.lubbock-smith@bcot.ac.uk

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