Britain's first apprenticeship company launched

Britain's first organisation dedicated to boosting the number of apprentices in the capital was launched on the 24th April 2009. CWGA is a founding partner in the new venture.

The London Apprenticeship Company, a not-for-profit Group Apprenticeship organisation, will help more than 1,000 young people into apprenticeships  by 2012 in areas such as retail, creative media, plumbing, social care, business administration, hospitality, construction and leisure by introducing a new model of “group apprenticeship”

Skills Minister Lord Young officially launched the scheme at Westminster Academy, where an apprentice jobs fair was held for budding apprentices and some of the employers who are already expressing interest in signing up to the scheme.

Unlike normal apprenticeships, trainees aged between 16 and 25 are employed directly by the LAC and not the employer. LAC will deal with apprentices' pay, probationary reviews, training and pastoral care and each young person will have a career mentor to support them.

By easing the bureaucratic burden on small businesses, it is hoped that more company bosses will see taking on an apprentice as a commercially attractive option.

This system is modelled on similar group apprenticeship programmes in Australia, which have been running for over 25 years, but this is the first time this approach has been taken in the UK. One of the founding partners of LAC is Central West Group Apprentices (CWGA) of Australia.

Lord Young said: “The Group Apprenticeship model has been very attractive to employers in Australia for many years and has clearly contributed to the success of apprenticeships there.

"I believe the establishment of the London Apprenticeship Company is a key step in increasing apprenticeship numbers in London and is part of this Government’s overall commitment to increasing apprenticeships nationwide.”

Peter Harlock, London Apprentice Company chief executive, said: "This programme will be a very attractive option to businesses in London because it simplifies the process and lowers the risk of taking on junior staff for companies in these difficult times.

"There are more than 150 companies in Australia that have successfully developed this model and we firmly believe we can replicate this success in London."

Ben Bardon from GAP International and CWGA's CEO is a Board member of the newly formed London Apprenticeship Company.

“For over two years CWGA have been exploring ways to develop the Group Training approach in the UK. In February 2008 we were invited to join a steering group that was assessing the viability of transferring the Australian Group Training model to London.”

“The UK feasibility study was funded by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) and the result was to establish the London Apprenticeship Company (LAC) with CWGA as a joint venture partner.”

“It is exciting to see the LAC successfully launched. It represents a lot of exhausting work over the past year from CWGA in research, development, training and the customising of software and contractual framework documents.With these systems now tailored for the UK market, hopefully more group apprenticeships programs can hit the ground running.” 
 
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: "I am doing all I can to help ensure that London emerges from this downturn strong and prepared for the challenges ahead. Having a skilled workforce is a key factor in this and we must guarantee, even during this uncertain period, that we continue to invest in training schemes. At the GLA, we are pushing forward by expanding current programmes, creating new ones, and supporting organisations such as the London Apprenticeship Company. I urge employers from across London’s sectors to follow our lead and seek the wealth of advice and support that is out there. In my role as Chair of the London Skills and Employment Board I am ensuring we make it a highest priority to provide the best possible support to London’s businesses.”

Westminster Council said the scheme would be a significant boost to small businesses in the borough. Central London has more small business than any other part of the UK with around 80 per cent of companies employing less than five people.

Cllr Brian Connell, the council's cabinet member for communities and economic development, said: "This scheme will vastly expand opportunities for local young people at a time when it is very difficult to break into the job market.

"Many small businesses may want to run apprenticeships but don't have the resources to do so - this scheme bridges that gap."

The number of Apprenticeships on offer for 16 to 18 year-olds across the UK is set to increase by 90,000 by 2013.

Under the Education and Skills Bill the government is aiming to increasing apprenticeships to 400,000 by 2020 with 1 in 5 of all 16-18 year olds participating in an apprenticeship programme.

The LAC was established by a group comprising City of Westminster College, Westminster Kingsway College, Central West Group Apprentices (Australia), Vital Regeneration and Paddington Development Trust, and has received major additional support and funding from London Learning and Skills Council and Westminster City Council. The LDA is also currently considering a proposal for becoming a significant supporting partner.

Visit www.londonapprenticeship.co.uk for more information