STOCKPORT SUCCESS FOR 100 APPRENTICES

Stockport has achieved its goal – to employ 100 Apprentices within 100 days. Organised in partnership with the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS), Stockport employers have pledged to employ 100 apprentices within 100 days.

The 100:100 scheme was launched at Aldi in Romiley at the end of June, and the ambitious target was reached in just over two months – well within the 100 day target.  The Council and NAS will continue to run the campaign until the end of the 100 days to see what figure can be achieved.

Councillor Shan Alexander, Executive Member for Lifelong Learning and Achievement at Stockport Council, said:

“This is excellent news, well done to all. I am delighted that so many young people in Stockport have taken this opportunity to work as apprentices and hope that this will lead to permanent positions.  This ground breaking initiative will help our young people gain confidence and get their first experience of working for a local organisation which in turn will boost the local economy.  “I would like to thank local employers, large and small and in many different sectors, who are supporting the 100:100 scheme”.

Many Stoockport employers are delighted to have participated in the scheme:

James Hutcheson, Regional Managing Director and Head of Recruitment at Aldi, said: 

“We are delighted to lend our support to Stockport Council’s aim of appointing 100 apprentices in 100 days.  Aldi is planning to hire 14 apprentices for its stores in and around Stockport to help achieve the overall target of 100 throughout the borough, and in order to provide a genuine career path into retail management for young people.  Our apprentices have already proven themselves to be dedicated and hard-working members of Aldi’s retail teams, contributing to the success of the business over the last two years.”

John Myers Head of Apprenticeships at the NAS, says:

“I welcome this ambitious campaign from Stockport Council.  Stockport has many talented young people who have a tremendous amount of energy and enthusiasm to offer local employers.  I urge any employer thinking about recruiting to get in touch with the Council and take advantage of the grants available, and encourage any young person leaving school this summer to apply to become an apprentice with one of the many local employers taking part.  The Aldi Apprentice Scheme is an absolutely exemplary Apprenticeship and indicative of the quality of opportunities which are now available to would-be apprentices.”

Wayne Jones, Chair of the Stockport Economic Alliance and CEO of Stockport-based MAN PrimeServ Diesel, says:

“The Stockport Economic Alliance is a great supporter of initiatives which increase the employment of young people in our borough.  Apprentices have an important role to play in the future benefit of businesses that drive for growth through new ideas.  I know first-hand, from the approach within MAN, that apprenticeships are a clear recruitment strategy for both this and consequent years.  MAN Diesel & Turbo UK Ltd has a clear plan to recruit more than 10% of the current workforce with Apprentices here in Stockport.”

Danny Pearson, Principal of Aquinas College, says:

“At Aquinas we are very excited about the opportunities Apprenticeships now offer.  Many students are looking for high quality routes into the workplace at 18 and the range of apprenticeships on offer is impressive.  Students at Aquinas are encouraged to consider what the most appropriate route to a career is for them and many are looking for alternative routes to Higher Education.  We ourselves are about to embark on employing some apprentices in business administrative roles and stage production.  Stockport Council has been extremely proactive in encouraging employers to offer apprenticeships to our young people and I am very pleased to be involved in this initiative.  Anything that helps young people in Stockport aspire to good quality training and develops their career prospects has to be a good thing and I would urge others to get involved.”  

Pete Lamb from the Dodd Group said:

“Apprentices are a valuable asset within our business, approximately 40% of our current management staff have worked their way up from an Apprentice or Operative position so we really do see Apprentices as the future of our business.”    

Sandy Lindsay, Group MD of Tangerine PR & Director of The Juice Academy, said:

“Stockport Council’s 100 in 100 Apprenticeship Campaign is a simple but effective idea that I hope will encourage local businesses to consider taking a bright young thing into their team. The Juice Academy social media apprenticeship is one of many on offer that has a double benefit to all: it helps fill a skills gap and helps young people gain a much needed foot in the door to exciting careers. We look forward to helping meet – and hopefully – beat these ambitious targets.”

The employers and number of apprentices are:

For more information about apprenticeships, contact the Council’s 14-19 helpline on 0161 474 2350 or email apprenticeships@stockport.gov.uk