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SKILLS AND APPRENTICESHIPS
By Rob Kelly
government is essential to better understand the skills required to enable a thriving Lancashire economy and there is a genuine desire to collaborate here.
“The Lancashire Cornerstone group is a great example of this, a collective of employers, committing to raising aspirations of young people by providing meaningful careers guidance and workplace encounters.
“I would encourage businesses to sign up to the Lancashire Skills Pledge, with more than 500 members this is a fantastic network for employers to lean in, contribute and access support and guidance on skills, training and apprenticeships.”
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Lancashire employers are being urged to invest in the next generation and ‘grow your own talent’, as the number of 16-18-year-olds starting apprenticeships in the county has fallen.
New figures from the Lancashire Skills and Employment Hub show overall apprenticeship starts have increased slightly year-on-year, from 10,900 to 11,200. However, starts among 16-18-year-olds have dropped from 4,900 in 2016-17 to just 2,750 projected for 2024-25, a fall of 44 per cent.
Dr Michele Lawty-Jones, director of the hub, says now is the time for businesses to sign up to the Lancashire Skills Pledge and play an active role in developing the county’s future workforce and take on young workers as apprentices.
She says: “Lancashire has a proud history of recruiting and supporting apprentices, helping businesses grow while creating opportunities for local talent.
“Our key concern is the reduction in the number of education leavers undertaking apprenticeships.
“We are seeing a rise in youth unemployment across the country and when we talk to young people they find it hard to get first opportunities in the labour market and it is getting harder.
“It is crucial that businesses embrace the recruiting of young people and emerging initiatives like the new Foundation Apprenticeships – programmes designed to inspire the next generation, equip them with the skills and knowledge to succeed and bring fresh talent and ideas into your organisation.
“Every business has a responsibility to play their part whether that is by enabling young people through careers work to see what is in the labour market or that early investment to take people on in their first job.”
BAE Systems has revealed it will recruit more than 500 young people in Lancashire this year as it continues to develop the next generation of skilled defence sector workers.
At BAE Systems’ plants in Warton and Samlesbury, where work is carried out on the Typhoon and F-35 fighter jet programmes, there are plans to take on 510 trainees next year – 221 apprentices, 66 undergraduates and 223 graduates.
Peter Caney, head of early careers and skills, BAE Systems says: “It is a hugely exciting time to be starting a career in Lancashire with so many thriving sectors.
“Collaboration between industry, education and IN ASSOCIATION WITH: Michele Lawty-Jones
Skelmersdale paper manufacturer Essity runs its own Apprentice Academy, offering in-house training and machine repair skills with 11 apprentices on site.
Local MP Ashley Dalton praised the ‘strength of its apprenticeship programme’ during a recent visit.
Paul Barton, Essity’s HR manager, says: “We’re in a really good place on training, skills and apprenticeships, largely because we’ve made a conscious decision to invest in them.
“Our dedicated apprenticeship academy and development programmes are working well, and further investment would help us build on that success.”
Blackburn digital marketing agency 21Digital created its own Search Academy to give young people a real entry point into digital marketing.
Sam Fletcher, managing director, says: “With Manchester’s bright lights just down the road, it can be tempting for talent to look elsewhere. Investing in homegrown skills isn’t just good for our team, it’s essential for the future of the county’s digital economy.”
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