An Oldbury training company, which invested almost £250,000 in a new scheme to get people back into jobs, has achieved national recognition for the quality of its service.
Lucie Bonehill, Debbie Adams Steve Burnet ,Venetia Hardiman and chief executive Chris Luty
BCTG runs The Work Shop, a drop-in shop in West Bromwich High Street, where people can get one-to-one support to find employment and also sign up for apprenticeships through The Apprenticeship Works (TAW).
It now been awarded full Apprenticeship Training Agency Recognition by the National Apprenticeship Service and is the first company in the West Midlands to achieve the status.
The Apprenticeship Works has already successfully placed more than 200 young people into apprenticeships with eighty percent going on to full time employment.
Chris Luty, BCTG chief executive, said: “The Apprenticeship Works is one of just a handful of schemes in the country providing employers with a ‘bank’ of willing young apprentices. It takes the pressure off employers and acts as a broker between the apprentice and the business.
“We are delighted that we have gained recognition from the National Apprenticeship Service. This licence has been introduced to safeguard and protect the reputation of apprenticeship training agencies and is all about ensuring the quality of provision for both the employer and the apprentice.”
The Apprenticeship Works helps employers find applicants to best suit their business needs. The apprentice is then employed by the agency with the employer paying a small weekly contribution.
The saving for the employer is up to two thirds the cost of employing a traditional agency worker. All the apprentices are employed directly by the agency and are selected based on the skills and experience the company needs, so every employer can be sure of getting what they want.
As well as 16-24-year-olds looking for apprenticeships people looking for jobs, training or help to get a job can also drop into The Work Shop and speak to one of five staff.
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