Figures released this week by the Office of National Statistics confirmed high levels of unemployment across the UK, with the number of 18 – 24 years olds currently unemployed reaching 973,000. Rochdale Training Association, a local training organisation offering an extensive range of Apprenticeships is tackling this situation head-on for our local young people, and celebrated their learners’’ various successes this week at the 42nd Annual Prize Giving at Rochdale Town Hall.
The award ceremony was attended by over 200 guests, with awards presented by Simon Danczuk MP for Rochdale, who entered parliament in May 2010 and is a supporter of the work Rochdale Training do with local young people and the unemployed.
Over 130 local young people achieved an Apprenticeship with Rochdale Training this year, an increase of 33% on last year’s results – with success rates of 83% (10% above the national average). The situation is repeated for their adult learners with over 600 places taken up for their range of NVQ Level 2 or 3 courses, and success rates for these students achieving 95% (8% higher than the national average).
With great success rates and increasing numbers of apprentices this year, Chief Executive Jill Nagy is understandably proud of the students and her team. Jill says, “We are very proud of these success rates, which are made possible by the hard work and dedication of Rochdale Training’s staff, the learners themselves, and the employers who provide the jobs and the opportunities for training.”
Jill continues, “All Rochdale Training Apprentices are employed and many are found local jobs by Rochdale Training – no mean feat in this economic climate. One of the particular highlights of the year was the delivery of the pre-apprenticeship programme for young people in the borough who were not in education, employment or training (the NEET cohort). A fantastic 74% of these young people were found employment by Rochdale Training with an Apprenticeship attached to the job.”
In these times of spending cuts, the government has boosted the number of Apprenticeship places, recognising the opportunity an Apprenticeship provides for people to gain the skills they need for the jobs of the future. Despite these actions, Rochdale Training believes that still more needs to be done to improve awareness of Apprenticeships in schools and other advice providers.
Jill Nagy highlights, “Research has shown that on average, Apprentices will earn £100,000 more over the course of their working life than someone who hasn’t completed an Apprenticeship. However there are still many young people, parents and teachers who don’t know enough about apprenticeships to enable them to make the right choices.” She continues, “More needs to be done in some schools and with other providers to ensure they raise awareness of the benefits of taking the Apprenticeship route, ensuring it is given the same “parity of esteem” as the academic pathway.”
Rochdale Training has responded to the increasing local demand for Apprenticeships and this year added the delivery of IAG qualifications, Driving Goods Vehicles and Advanced Plumbing Apprenticeships to their extensive programme. The Association plans to increase their Apprenticeship provision by 10% during this coming year, and is continuing upgrades to premises and equipment to ensure the very best facilities for their learners.
Pictured with Simon Danczuk (second from left) and Jill Nagy (fifth from left) are Bob Beetham, Chairman of Rochdale Training and John Huxley, past Chief Executive of Rochdale Training with some of this year’s prize winners Esrar Khan of Sirfraz Alam, Plumbing Advanced Apprentice of the Year; Amy Ward of Rochdale Council, Administration Advanced Apprentice of the Year; and Lee Shackleton of Rochdale Training, Adult Learner of the Year.
Also pictured are the Engineering First Year Apprentices of the Year Tyler Kiffin and Thomas Cadwallader of Trufab, Anthony Stockton of R&B Switchgear Services and holding his winner’s award Jack Gibbons from MWH Treatment with Engineering Manager Eddie Moore and Training Officers Kevin Beck and Stuart Chapman.
If you attended the Prize Giving Evening and would like a copy of your photograph please contact Tom on 01706 631417 or tom@rochdaletraining.co.uk
For more information on Apprenticeships or any aspect of training visit www.rochdaletraining.co.uk.or call Rochdale Training on 01706 631417.