Apprenticeships are a great opportunity for young people to learn a skill whilst they work, earn some money and maybe get a job at the end of the experience. I would like to see more employers offer young people the chance to take up an apprenticeship which could lead to new and rewarding careers like Matthew Cook pictured here at work with Alan Petch at Angrove Farms in Great Ayton.
This is why I congratulate Hambleton District Council for a scheme which has seen more than 130 young people taken on as apprentices across the district. The District Council’s apprentice scheme provides grant aid to small Hambleton based businesses to help create new opportunities for a 16 to 24 year old living in Hambleton.
And as part of this week’s National Apprentice Week, schools are now promoting apprenticeship opportunities to students leaving schools and colleges from this summer – with career advisors in all schools and colleges keen to hear from prospective employers.
The Hambleton scheme was launched in 2012 and has so far helped 134 apprentices – in everything from office and construction jobs to farming and electricians.
The grant is given to support small businesses with priority given to those that employ less than 20 employees and have been trading for at least three months - the apprenticeship must be for at least one year with the apprentice working for at least 30 hours a week.