Ladder for Shropshire: Chamber steps up to join apprenticeships campaign

The Shropshire Star-backed campaign to create new roles for young people in Shropshire has played a role in hundreds of positions being created by employers across the region.

The county's chamber already works with a number of apprenticeship providers to boost skills in the county's workforce. It has now pledged to support the Ladder campaign as part of its effort to encourage apprenticeships.

Chamber chief executive Richard Sheehan said: "We have existing relationships with training providers in Shropshire, and we are now creating a collaborative arrangement with the Ladder for Shropshire.

The Ladder for Shropshire is an apprenticeship scheme.

And whether you are a business looking at taking on an apprentice or a young person looking for work, there are plenty of benefits to being part of getting involved. We want companies – large, medium and small – to take on apprentices and help them onto the job ladder.

An apprenticeship is a paid job that includes on and off-the-job training. For every apprentice taken, employers may be eligible for a Government grant of £1,500.

More than 80 per cent of consumers favour using a company that takes on apprentices and 74 per cent of businesses say apprentices are more loyal and stay with the business longer than other employees.

• For full details visit ladderforshropshire.co.uk

• For more information call 0330 999 8441 or 0800 999 8441.

• You can also email ladder@apprentice-providers.co.uk or fill out the online contact form here

"We are always pleased to be able to support organisations that help to develop apprenticeship programmes."

Jamie Pugh, marketing and development officer for the Ladder for Shropshire, said: "The support of Shropshire Chamber of Commerce will allow us to help even more businesses recruit exciting young talent which will add to their businesses.

"The Ladder continues to act as a one-stop-shop for apprenticeships and this partnership recognises the importance of our service throughout Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin."

The Ladder for Shropshire campaign has now supported the creation of 228 apprenticeship opportunities with Shropshire businesses.

So far 123 different companies have registered with the Ladder for Shropshire to offer apprenticeship opportunities, with more than 50 different job roles represented.

They also cover 13 different towns around Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin.

Companies recently linked with the campaign include Toni & Guy, Cinephonix Limited, Recruit4Staff, Border Counties School of Gymnastics, Morris & Co, St Martins School Oswestry and Safe Hands Recruitment.

Mr Pugh added: "It is important that we continue to demonstrate to young people that apprenticeships provide a terrific alternative to academic study for those looking to get stuck into a career. There are positions out there waiting to be filled that will provide the first step on the ladder that could take them to the very top."