An apprenticeship scheme funded by Ipswich Borough Council has helped several local businesses recruit apprentices, supporting a new campaign to create 5,000 apprenticeships in Suffolk over the next five years.
The Apprenticeship Brokerage Scheme assists small and medium sized Ipswich businesses when taking on an apprentice, offering support with sourcing suitable candidates for interview, finding a training provider and providing ongoing customer care through the life of apprenticeship.
The scheme, which is part of the Borough Council's Jobs and Skills Fund set up to support the Council’s ambition to support job creation and increase skills within the workforce, is delivered through Papworth Trust.
Council Leader David Ellesmere said: "Our apprentice brokerage scheme was set up to help small local companies who had never taken on an apprentice before.
"Around 96% reported that taking on an apprentice has led to benefits to their business such as new ideas being introduced to the organisation, better morale amongst staff and better staff retention."
Earlier this year, Ipswich company Fizzwig Designs was able to demonstrate how much it has benefitted from the Council's apprenticeship scheme, by winning the 'Apprenticeships 4 England' Silver Employer award. Fizzwig recruited its first apprentice in January last year and now has three who are working towards NVQ qualifications.
The Council, itself, has employed five apprentices in the past year and offers apprenticeship opportunities in fields such as event management, plumbing, gardening, IT and customer service.
