Industry led partnership aims to create 450 digital apprenticeships in North West England
Manchester Digital and the National Apprenticeship Service have launched a partnership to reduce unemployment in the North West of England with 450 new digital apprenticeships.
Over the next two years, apprenticeships will become available to those in industry, local schools and sixth form colleges.
The initiative will encourage talented young people, seeking an alternative to university, to consider an apprenticeship in the digital sector by linking them with member companies.
The North West has high levels of youth unemployment yet recent research by Manchester Digital, found that at least 50 per cent of businesses in the North West region are struggling to recruit staff for digital roles.
Many employers in the sector are struggling to find staff with the necessary skills and competencies, and are now choosing to employ apprentices and train young people on the job instead, building the skills needed through apprenticeship offerings.
Katie Gallagher, business development director at Manchester Digital, said: “This partnership with the National Apprenticeship Service will enable us to encourage more employers in the North West to engage with apprenticeships and grow their own talent.
“It will also give young people in the region an alternative route in to the digital sector, which will allow them to learn on the job and gain nationally recognised qualifications.”
John Myers, head of apprenticeships at the Greater Manchester for the National Apprenticeship Service said:”The digital sector across the North West is creating thousands of new jobs every year, and it is excellent news that a growing number of these will be offered as apprenticeships.
“Apprenticeships are a great way for young people to earn while they learn in a real job, gaining a real qualification; and setting them on the road to success. For employers, hiring apprentices is a way of attracting new talent and developing a motivated, skilled and diverse workforce.”