Boris' Bus Tour Comes to Westfield on Friday


Encouraging young people to "get on board with apprenticeships"

Young people in Shepherd's Bush are being encouraged to "get on board with apprenticeships" as a bus tour launched by Mayor of London Boris Johnson visits Westfield on Friday.

The National Apprenticeship Service bus tour, sponsored by First Group and Unite, aims to encourage schools, young people, parents and employers to get aboard and meet experts from the National Apprenticeship Service, employers, training providers and apprentices, who will all be offering information and advice about the range of Apprenticeship opportunities.

The bus tour is part of the sixth National Apprenticeship Week, taking place from March 11 - 15, and including hundreds of events and activities taking place across London and the South East.

The bus tour comes as the latest figures show a huge increase in local opportunities for apprentices. In fact in the last three months - November 2012 - January 2013- Hammersmith and Fulham recorded an astonishing increase of over 1000% in Apprenticeship vacancies, from just 43 in the same period last year to 475 this year.

Across London there has been a 58% growth in vacancies posted online and a 46% growth in online applications. Right now there are over 3,600 vacancies online in London and you can now search for them here or use the new iPhone and Android Av Search app.

These include employers from household names such as Capgemini, Jury’s Inn and Specsavers, through to small businesses across the Capital.

The theme for National Apprenticeship Week 2013 is “Apprenticeships Deliver”. This year it is about showcasing the achievements and benefits Apprenticeships deliver for both apprentices and their employers and utilising their experiences to positively inform and persuade others to get involved.

Vic Grimes, Divisional Area Director – London and the South East, National Apprenticeship Service says: "Every year National Apprenticeship Week increases in popularity and the bus tour in London provides an excellent opportunity for young people and employers to come along to see what Apprenticeships can offer.

" Apprenticeships are a great way for young people to earn while they learn in a real job, gaining a real qualification in their chosen career and now cover over 1,500 job roles from painting and decorating to digital media and engineering.

" To find out more or to search for a vacancy, visit our website or call 08000 150 600."

Cllr Nick Botterill, Leader of H & F Council says:"There is no doubt that large businesses benefit from investing in our residents and employing them as apprentices. The loyalty, enthusiasm and commitment apprentices show is inspirational and it is extremely rewarding to see them thrive as a result of work experience and training. For many, it is a crucial first step on to the employment ladder.

"The council is also helping other employers to take on apprentices and this year will see 200 retail apprenticeships at Westfield London; 15 horticulture pre-apprenticeships and 16 childcare apprenticeship. This is in addition to support for small employers to take on apprentices so that we can ensure ever-increasing numbers of apprenticeship posts across the whole borough."

The Apprenticeship bus will be near the bus terminal at Westfield in Shepherd's Bush from 10am till 6pm on Friday March 15 and anyone interested is invited to get aboard and find out more.

 

March 14, 2013

 

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