Business and political leaders in Greater Manchester have called on SME employers in the city-region consider hiring apprentices to assist in the post-pandemic economic recovery.
Business owners in the city-region have echoed the results of a national survey that has found 78% of employers reported apprenticeships having helped improve productivity, while 74% said they they helped with improving the quality of products or services.
Leaders across Greater Manchester are now calling on more SMEs to consider creating apprenticeship opportunities as part of the city-region’s economic recovery following the coronavirus pandemic.
Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said:
“Employers are telling us that apprentices are good for business. They will play an important part in ensuring our city-region’s economy can thrive as well as recover following the pandemic. Apprenticeships are also a great way of training people according to the needs of your business and upskilling your existing workforce.
“I urge SMEs, small businesses and companies to think about the benefits of creating apprenticeship opportunities within their business and the impact apprentices can have on improving your workforce. I strongly recommend attending the webinar session taking place to find out more about the support available.”
A webinar and workshop session has been organised by Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA)-funded ESF Skills for Growth SME Support, in partnership with GMCA and Greater Manchester’s Levy Matchmaking Service to give small businesses the chance to learn more about apprenticeships and their benefits, and support available.
The session is taking place from 10am to 11.30am on 25th of August.
To sign up for the Apprenticeships Webinar for SME employers’ event please register via this link. The session is open to any SME in Greater Manchester.
Greater Manchester’s Levy Matchmaking Service
Greater Manchester’s Levy Matchmaking Service enables large employers with apprenticeship levy underspend to match with smaller businesses looking to hire apprentices. A total of 354 apprenticeship placements have started so far to date through the Levy Matchmaking Service, with more businesses being urged to take advantage of the opportunity.
SMEs in the city-region who have used the Levy Matchmaking Service have described how apprentices have helped their businesses to expand, diversify their workforce as well as bring new ideas and energy to the organisation.
Cllr Andrew Western, GMCA lead for Digital, Works, Skills and Clean Air, said:
In Greater Manchester we continue to work on growing the numbers of opportunities for apprenticeships. Our innovative Levy Matchmaking Service makes it possible for smaller businesses to diversify their workplaces, who may previously not have been able to support an apprenticeship.
“Levy matchmaking staff are on hand to give helpful advice on how to set up an apprenticeship scheme in your workplace.”