Seetec connects Belfast talent with businesses

Seetec, one of the largest and most experienced employment and skills specialists in the UK and the Republic of Ireland, has attended the Annual NI Chambers Networking Conference & Business Showcase in Belfast for the first time.

Employers were keen to find out more about the new ApprenticeshipsNI provision, which will help businesses grow their own talent, either by new entrants into a position or supporting existing staff in new roles that require substantial training and development to increase their skills. Employers were particularly interested to learn about the on-going support available to them free of charge from Seetec.

Over the coming months Seetec, which has been appointed as an ApprenticeshipsNI Training Contractor by the Department for the Economy, will be able to offer hundreds of employees aged 16-24 apprenticeship opportunities in a variety of disciplines such as warehousing and storage, social media and digital skills, logistics, aviation and supply chain management. Limited apprenticeships are also available to employees aged 25 and above in economically important sectors. Apprenticeships are available at Level 2 (GCSE equivalent) or more advanced Level 3 (A Level equivalent).

Barry Cruickshank, Seetec Employment Services Consultant said: “Attending the NI Chamber Networking Conference & Business Showcase for the first time was very valuable for the Seetec team. It’s a fantastic event and provided us with the ideal opportunity to explain the benefits of the Apprenticeship scheme for both employers and employees.

“We were really encouraged by the discussions we had with the businesses at the Showcase. Employers demonstrated an admirable openness to creating space within their organisations for new and existing employees to gain crucial early-career work experience and to bring fresh perspectives and the latest skills to Northern Ireland businesses.”

Rob White, Seetec Sales Director, highlighted the long-term benefits of the scheme for employers: “From our discussions with employers in Northern Ireland, a recurring obstacle for recruiting new staff is a lack of crucial skills and work experience.

“By engaging with the ApprenticeshipsNI scheme, employers can take a pro-active role in developing the talent-pool to suit the demands of their business, all with the support of the Seetec team. We have over 30 years of experience in helping employers and apprentices get the most from their experience. As part of the service, we also provide ‘off-the-job’ directed training for apprentices during their apprenticeships in order to further develop their knowledge and essential skills in communication and ICT.”

ApprenticeshipsNI is part-funded through the Northern Ireland European Social Fund Programme 2014 – 2020 and the Department for the Economy. Seetec has extensive experience in delivering apprenticeships in the mainland UK market where it has previously worked with organisations including Accenture, Lloyds Bank, and Essex Cricket.

Photo: