Although the period of April to June 2012 saw North West unemployment figures drop by 3% (according to the Office for National Statistics), it is an unsettling fact that 319,000 people in the region are unemployed. The number of people aged between 16 and 24 claiming job seeker’s allowance in Greater Manchester stands at 24,400.
The programme, which launched at the company’s Oxford Street training centre in Manchester, will give young people seeking apprenticeships in business and administration and customer service the chance to learn essential skills to prepare them for the workplace. These include time management, communications, team working, business awareness and office protocol – all cited as ‘must have’ skills by employers.
The programme includes a series of free two week courses running through the autumn, each accommodating up to 30 young people. Those successfully completing the two week course will receive a certified employability skills qualification. Part of Kaplan’s wider Apprenticeship Programme, this initiative has been launched at a time when the Government has proposed apprenticeships should be made more accessible, particularly to SMEs.
The research carried out under the Government’s Holt Review also suggests there should be greater awareness of the value of apprenticeships given that less than 10% of small and medium-sized businesses in the UK employ apprentices – less than half the rate of larger companies. Commenting on the launch of the Job Ready Programme, Louise Timperley, head of apprenticeships at Kaplan, said: “We work closely with employers to ensure the training we provide not only meets but surpasses their requirements.
The Job Ready Programme addresses the issue of bridging the gap between education and employment by offering structured support to school and college leavers over a two week period. “We have designed the course to be constructive, informative and highly relevant and, with no cost incurred to attendees, it’s extremely accessible.
Places are limited so we advise students to book promptly in order to benefit from the expert guidance.” The courses at Kaplan training centre in Manchester take place from 9.30am to 3.30pm each day on: 1st – 12th October 5th-16th November For more information or to book a place on the Manchester courses visit www.kaplanapprenticeships.co.uk/page/job-ready-programme, email steponup@kaplan.co.uk or call 0845 873 6315.
Note to editors
1. Kaplan is one of the world’s leading providers of lifelong education and training. Programmes include Apprenticeships, vocational training, professional qualifications, online learning and degrees.
2. Kaplan offers government-funded Apprenticeships in Accountancy (AAT), Tax & Audit, Providing Financial Services, Business & Administration, Customer Service, Team Leading and Management in the North West
3. Overview of Kaplan’s Job Ready Programme: • Developed to help improve school leavers employability skills and increase their chances of getting a job
• Free 2 week Programme held at Kaplan’s training centres in Liverpool and Manchester city centre
• The courses start on the 3rd September and run through until December 2012 • Young people receive a certified employability skills qualification which you can add to their CV and talk about the skills developed in an interview environment
• Young people who have left school are invited to attend this free programme by signing up via www.kaplanapprenticeships.co.uk
4. Kaplan works with local businesses to find appropriate employment to carry out an Apprenticeship through providing a free recruitment service designed to help young people find an Apprenticeship vacancy.
5. Employers who are looking to take on an Apprentice to benefit their business can find out more by visiting: www.kaplanvocational.co.uk/talent For media enquiries contact natalie@yourvibe.co.uk / 01625 869 854
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