IT’S a tall order but the aim is for 100 businesses in the Kirklees area to pledge to take on an apprentice between now and June – and there is a money incentive to do so.

To mark National Apprenticeship Week which starts today, Kirklees Council’s Apprenticeship Hub team is looking for 100 pledges from businesses between now and June to explore taking on an apprentice.

The team’s Business Brokers will work with companies across the area to explain the benefits of having an apprentice to firms and provide support in recruiting a suitable candidate.

Kirklees is one of eight Apprenticeship Hubs in the Leeds City Region where businesses with fewer than 1,000 employees, and who have not taken on an apprentice in the last year, can receive a £1,500 grant to support their recruitment.

One of Kirklees’ leading businesses, Heckmondwike-based engineering firm 600 UK, has already signed up to the Apprenticeship Hub and is seeing the benefits of having a young person working and learning within the firm.

Howard Bamforth, 600 UK’s sales director, said: “Our business broker was a huge support when it came to our decision to take on an apprentice in a new area of the company. When they came into 600 UK we told them all about our firm, what we were looking for and what we wanted the apprentice to do.

“The broker then advised us about the sort of apprentice we should be looking for and how they could help us find that person. They were invaluable and saved us a huge amount of time and effort in cutting through the red tape and finding the right person for our business.”

Victoria Gibson, 18, joined 600 UK as an apprentice last December after deciding that university, which she had started just a few months before, was not for her. Business leaders are being asked to pledge their support by contacting the Kirklees Apprenticeship Hub. They will then be invited to meet with a specialist business broker who identifies where an apprentice would fit into their company, what other grants and support might be available and help to identify the right training provider and relevant training for their needs.

Clr Peter McBride, joint Cabinet member for Place, said: “Kirklees is an entrepreneurial area and my message to companies is that our business brokers are standing by to help get you the information, advice and financial help needed to make an apprenticeship scheme possible in your organisation.”

To find out more contact the Business Brokers team on 01484 437075 or e-mail apphub@kirklees.gov.uk

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