MORE than 200 youngsters and parents were brought together with employers to explore apprenticeship opportunities at an event arranged by East Hampshire District Council.

Year 10 and Year 11 students were given the chance to find out more about apprenticeships while businesses were able to attract the next generation of employees to come and work for them at the Get East Hampshire Working Apprenticeship Fair.

Apprenticeships give people the opportunity to ‘earn while you learn’ as it allows people to complete a work-based qualification alongside their job. This means people can gain job-specific skills, work alongside experienced staff, earn a wage, get a foot in the door of an organisation and study toward a related qualification – this qualification can range from NVQ Level 2 to a full university degree.

The fair gave local businesses the chance to attract the next generation of workers.

Businesses had the opportunity to tell the workforce of the future about what they do and the career possibilities in their industries. Generous financial support is available from EHDC and Business East Hants to businesses looking to employ an apprentice through the Get East Hampshire Working’ initiative, which aims to boost local employment, create jobs and grow businesses through business-support programmes.

The scheme, launched in 2013, makes contributions to wages to make sure that apprentices earn the national minimum wage or above, as well as helping to pay for training and travel expenses.

Following the apprenticeship fair, there was also a community forum that had a focus on apprenticeships in East Hampshire. The forum featured guest speakers who discussed their experiences of hiring apprentices or being one themselves. The guest speakers included Glynis Watts, portfolio holder for business support who spoke about the EHDC apprenticeship scheme, and Martin Kiddey, a local business owner and apprenticeship champion who shared his experience of participating in the Get East Hampshire Working scheme and hiring apprentices.

Judith Moule, of ETA Consultancy Services, went into detail about the apprenticeship levy from a business’s point of view and Josh Abbott, former EHDC marketing apprentice, shared his experiences of his apprenticeship and how it led him to a full-time role.

Glynis Watts, portfolio holder for business support, said: “The apprenticeship fair and community forum presented a great opportunity for both young people and businesses in East Hampshire to come together and find out how apprenticeships can benefit them.

“EHDC was very pleased with the turnout of the event and is delighted that so many young people are exploring the options available to them in their local area.

“We are proud to be able to support local businesses across the district and encourage them to take on apprentices and help develop the workforce of the future.”

Mrs Watts added: “Apprentices are highly motivated, enthusiastic and loyal. They offer great value for business – learning and up-skilling on the job while receiving a salary and a related qualification.”

To find out more about the Get East Hampshire Working initiative and how EHDC supports apprenticeships, visit businesseasthants.org.