On the 14 September the successful shared apprenticeship schemes from the north joined forces to facilitate a meeting of 15 contractors representing our ‘host’ employers to explore the benefits and challenges of the current ‘shared apprenticeship’ offer with the view to future proofing the model and designing the ‘perfect shared apprenticeship model’ which can support the industry into 2018 and beyond.
EN:Able Futures joined forces with Constructing the Future, the shared scheme delivering the service across the north west. The day was hosted by Oldham College in the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce Room and expertly facilitated by Lee Parkinson, CEO of the Efficiency North Group.
Lee was able to set the context and remind the contractors of the background and history of the shared schemes and how they operate. In light of the recent CITB review, both Futureworks Yorkshire (FWY) and Constructing the Future (CTF) saw the value in bringing together some the key contractors across the north to review and explore the value of the shared apprentice operations. Both organisations work on a similar basis, both ‘not for profit’ and have been offering our quality service across the north of England for between 5 and 7 years covering the North East, Y&H into Lincolnshire and the Midlands; Lancashire, Merseyside, Greater Manchester, Cheshire and Cumbria. Collectively they have successfully employed and supported over 400 apprentices, that’s over 400 new apprenticeship opportunities which would not have been created had the SAS not been available, some with difficult issues who have been successful due to the extensive pastoral and academic support offered and achieved because of the unique way the SAS operates. Lee outlined the importance of partnership with ‘host’ employers and how valuable this is to both FWY and CFT.
The day was a success with some key outcomes which are currently being explored, these will be shared with you in the future and will certainly help futureproof the ‘Northern SASs’. Thanks to everyone who came along and supported the day!
