SECTOR FOCUS: LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT
oung people are our future; they’re the next generation of employers and employees. Businesses recruiting people aged 16 – 24 are benefiting from the injection of fresh talent, enthusiasm and energy to their business. If you’re not actively recruiting young people into your business, you could be missing out on real opportunities to develop and grow.
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Research shows that businesses are as much in need of fresh young talent to remain competitive as young people are in need of full-time employment. But we need more employers engaging with more young people through schools and colleges to invest in employability skills or provide internships, work placements, apprenticeships or appropriate entry-level jobs. Research also shows that some employers have a negative perception of young people, which leads to a failure to invest in them. However, results show that where employers have invested in young people, their experiences have been nothing but positive. The reality is that school and college leavers today are keen to get ahead, prove themselves and build rewarding lives where they contribute to society and their local communities. Helping to develop the skills of young people has added benefits. It can greatly motivate existing staff, who take pride in passing on their knowledge, skills and experience and seeing the next generation of skilled staff progress. Often young people who join a company will demonstrate their
loyalty to the organisation by remaining in it and working their way through the ranks helping companies to have good succession planning. Corporate Social Responsibility is hugely important in today’s world and a business that invests in its local community will see the benefits in terms of sales, as customers elect to buy from those employers with local connections and a commitment to local people. The Apprenticeship scheme is just one of the ways that employers
can engage young people and offers a cost-effective solution. The mixture of on-the-job and classroom-based learning ensures apprentices learn the skills that work best for organisations, giving increased productivity, improved competitiveness and a committed and competent workforce. With the national government and young talent for business grants of up to £3,000 per apprentice it is a great time to invest in the future workforce (eligibility criteria applies). Bournville College is a lead provider of apprenticeships in the area. One of the many companies they work with is Hague Fasteners, a privately owned company which was conceived in 1971, manufacturing all types of threaded and milled special fasteners in many different types of material. Bournville College provided young apprentices to help assist with the growing needs of the business in administration,
Mike Field, General Manager at Hague Fasteners was told about the apprenticeship scheme and decided to look into it further. “We have continually grown since 2008. Our first apprentice picked up so much in such a short space of time and definitely helped our business. She has been taken on as a permanent member of staff. I have already recommended the apprenticeship scheme with Bournville College to other people and employers.” The apprenticeship scheme offers young people the chance to start
a career, whilst helping businesses with skills shortages and recruitment issues. Apprenticeships are seen as a cost-effective solution to future needs whilst helping to motivate the existing workforce.
For more information on the apprenticeship scheme or on how to engage young people in your business, please call Bournville College on 0121 477 1991 to find out more.
28 GREATER BIRMINGHAM CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE DIRECTORY 2014/15
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