National Apprenticeship Week breakfast meeting at Clevedon

An earlybird business meeting to promote apprenticeships is at Clevedon Hall this month.

The Business Breakfast Event is on Thursday, March 14, from 8-10am at Victoria Road as part of National Apprenticeship Week.

Now in its sixth year, National Apprenticeship Week runs from Monday to Friday, March 11-15.

Businesses are being encouraged to join other local business people to find out how apprenticeships can generate sustainable growth, meet skills gaps, help businesses improve their competitiveness, productivity and efficiency and meet their full potential during these challenging economic times.

Keynote speaker is North Somerset Council chief executive Graham Turner who is ambassador for the National Apprenticeship Service and one of England's top 100 employers of apprentices.

He will  will talk about the benefits of apprenticeships and how they have become an integral part of its workforce. 

Mr Turner said: "The council's apprenticeship scheme is good for young people, good for the council and good for the community. 

"Our young people are sharp, committed and ambitious and we place them at the centre of innovation in the council."

North Somerset Business Leader managing director Andrew Scott and Midas Group director Rob Brooks will share how they are building apprenticeships into their workforce development plans.

Mr Brooks will also talk about his company's innovative plans for offering and supporting apprenticeships in its contracts.

NAS divisional apprenticeships director Mark Howard will tell employers know about its commitment to increasing employer engagement and the free and impartial advice it offers businesses to help them to provide high quality, effective and commercially viable apprenticeship programmes.

Representatives of the National Apprenticeship Service and employers who have already developed apprenticeship programmes including Agilisys, Alliance Homes, Brunel Care, Liberata and Miller Construction, will also be on hand to talk about how apprenticeships can benefit your business.

NAS chief executive David Way said: "We hope this year's National Apprenticeship Week will be the biggest yet, showcasing the excellent work delivered by apprentices in businesses and organisations around the country and the first-rate training they receive."

To book a free place at the Clevedon event contact Jill Cowles, North Somerset Council apprenticeship strategic development manager Jill Cowles by email Jill.cowles@n-somerset.gov.uk or call 01275 884270.