The West Lancashire Challenge aims to create
apprenticeships as well as training and work experience
opportunities within businesses, and increase participation in
volunteering.
The project, delivered by a core partnership of West Lancashire
Council for Voluntary Service, West Lancashire Borough Council and
West Lancashire College, is funded by central Government through
the West Lancashire Local Strategic Partnership.
The project has three main themes:
- Developing a ‘West Lancashire Passport’ to create a pathway for
learners and potential learners into employment
- Engagement with business to provide advice on how to create
apprenticeship, training and other employment positions for their
company; and to work with businesses to ensure potential employees
are ‘job ready’, and
- Encouraging volunteering, community engagement and
development.
The West Lancashire Passport element, led by West Lancashire
College, will enable local people to set personal goals, log
progress and review their achievements. Achievement will be
supported and validated by partners and employers.
The business engagement side of the project, led by the
Council, aims to promote awareness of workforce solution products
(i.e. apprenticeships, internships and other training schemes).
While the project cannot fund such provision directly, it instead
aims to provide advice and guidance to local businesses
on available apprenticeship and training schemes and how to
access them.
There are a number of benefits to businesses in creating
apprenticeship positions, with research showing that apprentices
increase company efficiency, product/service quality and create a
committed, talented and loyal workforce.
To demonstrate its own commitment to apprenticeships, the
Council has taken on two apprentices to work on the project. Their
own thoughts on apprenticeships are as follows:
“I am enjoying my apprenticeship so much and am continually
advancing my business skills by taking on more and more
responsibilities within my role. I feel I have now gained relevant
experience that will ensure I am well equipped to secure employment
in the future.”
Alex Lambie
Apprentice Economic Development Clerical Assistant, West
Lancashire Borough Council
“My apprenticeship is teaching me what it is like to work in a
business environment – I am learning new things everyday that I
couldn’t do by simply hearing about them in a classroom. Also, the
work-based learning will allow me to gain an NVQ qualification on
completion of the apprenticeship.”
Amy Kirby
Apprentice Economic Development Clerical Assistant, West
Lancashire Borough Council
There is also a volunteering and community development element
of the project, which is being led by the West Lancashire Council
for Voluntary Services. This includes encouraging volunteering
amongst young people and encouraging business leaders to take on
board level positions in the voluntary and third sector.
The project is due to end in March 2013.
Who to contact
If you are interested in providing apprenticeship opportunities
within your business, or in any of the other schemes mentioned,
please contact John Corish, Business Engagement Officer
on:
Tel: 01695 577177 ext 2555
Email: john.corish@westlancs.gov.uk
Online: Business
Support Enquiry Form
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