Traineeships key to economic recovery

A selection of independent training providers have been granted access to #Traineeship funding in a bid to help reignite the economy, by providing thousands of young people with the opportunity to #kickstart their careers after a standstill year for employment.

This introduction comes following the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak’s announcement, last July, pledging to provide 30,000 new traineeships and £111m in funding to triple the number of 16-24 year old trainees in England.

London-based Hawk Training are one of several providers who have been tasked with the challenge of delivering the provision and their Managing Director, Crawford Knott, is looking forward to the prospect of supporting thousands of young people begin their career journeys:

“This programme is all about jobs and hopefully apprenticeships. The unemployment figures for young people is only going to get worse with a ticking timebomb of unemployment on the horizon. Working with our employer partners we are looking forward to being part of the solution to tackling the challenge of youth unemployment as we move out of this pandemic,” explained Mr Knott, who also sits on the advisory board of Association of Employment and Learning Providers (AELP) London.

“Traineeships are a great way for employers to both support their local communities and also have the opportunity to experience the fantastic benefits that young people can bring to their organisation. We have seen time and time again as part of our 30 years in the sector through, amongst other programmes, our Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ apprenticeship provision”.

According to government figures, three quarters of young people who complete a traineeship move on to employment or further study within a year, whereas the same fraction of 18-24 year-olds who are not in education, employment or training for three months continue to be unemployed or out of education over the course of 12 months. 

What is a Traineeship?

A traineeship is a skills development programme that includes a work placement, lasting anywhere between eight week and a year. The programmes aim to support young adults, aged 16-24, get ready for an apprenticeship or job if they do not currently possess the appropriate skills or experience.

Not only does the programme help tackle youth unemployment, but it is hoped that it will also act as the catalyst for change in the UK’s post-COVID economic recovery. Under the scheme, firms in England will be given £1,000 for each new work experience place they offer up to a maximum of 10 per region.