Will Your Business Take The Pledge?

Liverpool Chamber takes the lead in skills provision for city’s economy

Liverpool Chamber has today launched a crucial initiative to help young people into work and provide local employers with the skilled and motivated staff their businesses need - The Apprenticeship Pledge.

The Apprenticeship Pledge was announced by Liverpool Chamber of Commerce Deputy Chief Executive, Carole Crosby.

In it, the Chamber asks all local businesses to sign up and commit themselves to consider apprenticeships.

Carole said: “Liverpool Chamber is working alongside the National Apprenticeship Service in encouraging businesses to take on apprentices.

“The Apprenticeship Pledge encourages our members and the wider business community to sign up and commit to consider taking on an apprentice within their workforce. We are convinced that the benefits to both parties will be immense and result in an expanded workforce and local economy.

“An apprentice does not have to mean new staff, either. Existing employees can be put through the programme and bring new skills and qualifications to your existing workforce. ”

Liverpool Chamber is also pleased to announce the first company to take the pledge - Parr Street Studios and Hotel.

Gary Millar, CEO of Parr Street Studios and Hotel in Liverpool City Centre said: “The Chamber’s Apprentice Pledge campaign is really important to stimulate demand for apprenticeships in the Liverpool area.

“Apprenticeships bring a number of benefits to a business; they can reduce recruitment costs, help lower staff turnover and improve productivity and motivation.

“Statistics show 88 per cent of employers who employ apprentices believe they lead to a more motivated and satisfied workforce.

“I’m really excited about the campaign and we need employers in Liverpool to join Parr Street and step up to the challenge together.”

Take the Apprenticeship Pledge here.

For more information on how Liverpool Chamber can help your business get the skilled team it needs call 0151 236 3222 or email training@liverpoolchamber.org.uk

Why Take The Apprenticeship Pledge?

• Apprenticeships can be for new OR existing staff, upskilling your workforce the way you want.
• 81% of businesses said that employing Apprentices generated higher overall productivity for their company
• 66% said that their Apprenticeship programme made them more competitive in their industry
• 92% said that their Apprenticeship programme better motivated staff and increased job satisfaction
• 74% said that Apprentices tended to be more loyal,remaining at their company longer than non-apprentices
• A study by Sheffeld University measured the long term fnancial beneft to investing in Apprenticeships. A Level 3 Advanced Apprentice will generate an additional lifetime beneft to themselves and their employer of £105,000 compared to someone who does not gain an Apprenticeship. The Level 2 additional beneft is £73,000.
  (Source: National Apprenticeship website)

Liverpool Chamber of Commerce are now acting as the local training provider in Merseyside on behalf of the National Apprenticeship Service. 

Our priority, in accordance with the government’s Skills Pledge, is to build skilled, productive and loyal workforces in Merseyside who are all certified at NVQ Level 3.  

Our Advanced Apprenticeships are work-based training programmes designed around the needs of employers, leading to the NVQ 3 qualification. 

Both new and existing employees at an organisation can be trained on these Advanced Apprenticeship programmes. 

These are the five generic programmes the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce are offering Advanced Apprenticeships in:

• Customer Service
• Retail 
• Business Administration IT User
• Team Leader and Management

If you are interested in our Advanced Apprenticeships, please contact Richard on ext. 2320 or email richard.diggens@liverpoolchamber.org.uk

Take On A New Employee From Less Than £5000 A Year

Are you looking to take on new staff? Or get existing staff new qualifications?

Maybe you may want to grow your business but are worried about the cost.

Liverpool Chamber can help you find the right person for the job, get the qualifications you need and save you money too.

Our tailored recruitment process can provide you with a pre-selected choice of candidates, many with previous experience or qualifications in business admin, customer service, IT or retail.

Once in post, they will continue to receive training and support from Liverpool Chamber. This ensures you a valuable and committed member of your team.

Currently, Business Admin apprenticeships are benefitting from generous funding support. This means you will pay nothing towards their wages for the first five weeks of their 16-week placement, then only a sliding scale of contributions that start at just £9.50 a week.*

After training, minimum wage costs mean each new member of staff can cost your business less than £5000 a year.

For existing staff, the apprenticeship programme is an ideal way to get the business skills they need. Upon completion, all successful apprentices are equipped with Technical Certificates and NVQs.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to invest in your business for minimal cost.

To find out more, contact Katie Jones on 0151 236 3222 or email katie.jones@liverpoolchamber.org.uk

*Employer contributions are on a sliding scale from £9.50 per week up to £95. On a £95 pound per week job the cost to your businesses is usually £122.44 a week. For the first twelve weeks this be be halved to £61.22 due to the available funding. After the twelve weeks it will raise to the £122.44.

Friday 5th November - 8.30am – 10.30am
4th Floor, Tate Gallery, Albert Dock
Free to attend

• Is your business looking to employ an apprentice from Liverpool?
• Do you need financial support to do so?
• Are you in the Visitor Economy, Knowledge Economy, Superport or Low Carbon Economy sectors? 
• Do you need help or advice on supporting apprentices in your workplace?

Grants of up to £3000 are available via Liverpool City Council

Come and hear how your business / workplace can benefit from employing an apprentice & about support available to apprentices including from TUs

Speakers are drawn from the TUC, Liverpool Chamber of Commerce, the National Apprenticeship Service and Cllr Nick Small, Liverpool’s Cabinet Member for Employment and Skills

Breakfast served at 8.30am

Bookings for launch event to Visha at: vchander@tuc.org.uk / Tel office: 0151 236 2321

Other enquiries re: apprenticeships to Laura Robertson-Collins at lrobertsoncollins@tuc.org.uk  / Mob: 07786 706816

Are you looking to take on new staff?

In these difficult times, you may want to grow your business but are worried about the cost.

Liverpool Chamber can help you find the right person for the job, and save you money too.

Our tailored recruitment process can provide you with a pre-selected choice of candidates, many with previous experience or qualifications in business admin, customer service, IT or retail.

Once in post, they will continue to receive training and support from Liverpool Chamber. This ensures you a valuable and committed member of your team.

With over 150 apprenticeship candidates ready to start work, now is the ideal time to reinvigorate your workforce!

To find out more, contact Katie Jones on 0151 236 3222 or email katie.jones@liverpoolchamber.org.uk

Are you interested in recruiting a young person into your organisation?

Liverpool Chamber Training (Trident Training) has a client bank of over 200 potential apprenticeship applicants wanting the opportunity to start an apprenticeship programme.

We offer apprenticeship programmes in the Retail, Customer Service, Business Administration and IT sectors.

Liverpool Chamber Training offers a free recruitment service which can relieve the stress out of hiring new recruits. 

The candidates attend an initial interview to assess their academic skills and work experience letting us match the candidate to the right role.

Employers  - what do you need to know?

• Employers will be required to provide a contract of employment to the learner for a period of 12 months to complete the apprenticeship programme.
• The apprentice receives a minimum wage of £95.00 per week.
• The apprentice will be able to able to work full time (37.5 hours per week).
• Apprentices are required to attend Liverpool Chamber Training 1 day per week for the first 12 weeks.
• A Health & Safety assessment will be carried out by the Health and Safety representative to ensure that the employer has a safe working environment.
• The employer provides evidence of the Employer Liability Insurance.

What comes next?

If you are interested in taking on an apprentice or you would like to discuss this further please contact:

Katie Jones
T: 0151 236 3222
E: katie.jones@liverpoolchamber.org.uk

Pictured above is Carla Lamb winer Apprentice of the Year 2008, with Liverpool Chamber’s Deputy Chief Executive Carole Crosby.