New for 2013/14 - Raising of the Participation Age

Most 16 and 17 year olds already choose to carry on their education past Year 11. The Government has changed the law so that everyone will now have to carry on with some kind of education or training until their 18th birthday.  This includes apprenticeships, so you can still employ 16 and 17 year olds and they can learn and earn with you and SS&L.

For more information, read our information sheet.

Employers – find out more about how businesses benefit:

·       The West Somerset Railway (WSR) has steamed ahead with training support from SS&L

·       The Stags Head Inn, Dunster, serve up a warm welcome with SS&L’s Advanced Apprentice of the Year 2012

·       Somerset County Council’s Learning Disability Team (LD Services) ensure they stay compliant with CQC requirements by using SS&L to train their staff and apprentices

·       All of the apprentices have been successful in developing new work areas for 1610

Campaign smashes all previous records!

702 apprenticeships have been created for young people in Somerset since ‘Grow Somerset Talent’ began in late August, smashing the previous record of 515 set in 2010.

A celebration event will take place during the Apprenticeship Week in March 2013.

Want to employ an apprentice simply call: 01278 426828 or complete the enquiry form at the bottom of this page.

Grow Somerset Talent,

Watch Your Business Grow

Campaign number three goes live!

Grow Somerset Talent – Get involved with Somerset Skills & Learning from Thursday 16^th August to November 23^rd 2012.

You may be thinking, what’s all the fuss about!

It’s because 100 day campaigns are proving highly successful in Somerset, as employers, apprentices, training providers, partners and the media look to promote Apprenticeships.

The concept is simple; to generate Apprenticeship vacancies in businesses within the local area within 100 days. The aim is for the public sector and private business leaders, training providers, the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) and the local newspaper and/or radio station to work in partnership to deliver a sustained campaign to influence the business community to drive once again the number of Apprenticeship opportunities.

The campaigns benefit the business community, adults and young people; providing positive messages to the entire community and will benefit the economy.

Previous campaigns have focused on all employers or new businesses for Apprenticeship pledges, both highly successful campaigns and surpassed set targets.

The focal market this time is 16 to 24 year olds.

For example: 16 to 24 year old starting a new job/apprenticeship with an employer.  (Please note this criteria is campaign led only, Apprenticeships are available to all age groups, all enquiries welcome)

The target audience will align with the current Employer Apprenticeship Grant (AGE) £1500 currently available to employers who employ a 16 to 24 year old (subject to eligibility): Please call 01278 426828 or email busdevall@somerset.gov.uk for more information or to apply.

Somerset Skills & Learning request your help to make this one of the best campaigns ever!

Don’t forget - The 100 Day Apprenticeship Challenge has become one of the most successful campaigns, not just in Somerset but all over the country.

You really don’t want to miss out…

Any employers or would-be apprentices interested in finding out more please call

01278 426 828 or email busdevall@somerset.gov.uk