Leeds Apprenticeship Information Evening

25.06.14

Do you want to earn while you learn and gain the specialist skills to help you break into a career?

Young people and their parents can find out more about apprenticeships at an event being held in Leeds city centre this week.

The Leeds Apprentice Information Evening takes place on Thursday June 26th from 5pm to 8pm at Leeds Town Hall on The Headrow. Visitors can attend at any point during the evening.

Thousands of live apprenticeship vacancies will be available to apply for during the evening. Some of the city’s largest employers, in addition to established small and medium sized businesses, are attending.

Exhibitors include BMW, Connect Housing, Barclays, Starbucks, Gordons solicitors and many more. Visitors will also get advice on higher apprenticeships, and the alternative routes to completing them to gain a degree level qualification.

The event is backed by Leeds Apprenticeship Hub, which is part of the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP) Apprenticeship Hub Programme. The programme offers a free advisory service to make it easier for SMEs to recruit apprentices. Go to www.apprenticeship-hubs.co.uk. For event details, download a pdf here.

Roger Marsh, Chair of Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership, said: “Apprenticeships are a smart career option. They give young people the chance to earn as they learn and gain the specialist work-related skills to secure a job or go onto degree-level higher education.”

He added: “We want to urge as many young people and their parents to attend this event, meet employers and find out about the fantastic opportunities available. We are also working with businesses longer term to ensure more offer our talented young people the opportunities they need to develop their skills and gain vital work experience.”

Apprentices spend most of their week learning on the job with an employer, and some time in the classroom, to complete a vocational qualification. They receive a wage as part of their training and can progress to different levels upto a degree equivalent. Apprenticeships are available in a broad range of sectors including arts, media, publishing, business administration, law, engineering, manufacturing, information technology, hospitality and catering, and many more.

Last year, more than 1,500 young people, parents and carers attended the Leeds Apprenticeship Information Evening, making it the biggest and most successful apprenticeship fair in the city.

The LEP is currently running a regional campaign called the Apprenticeship Challenge, which was launched by His Royal Highness the Duke of York KG in March this year. It aims to secure at least 1,000 SMEs offering apprenticeships for 16 to 24-year-olds during this financial year across Leeds City Region.

The LEP’s Apprenticeship Hub Programme offers a free and independent advice service, across ten local authority areas, to small and medium sized businesses who want to find out about the benefits and practical steps involved in taking on an apprentice.

The programme aims to make it easier for SMEs to recruit apprentices, and Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership has secured funding through the government's City Deal initiative as part of wider moves to tackle youth unemployment and boost business growth.