New apprenticeship and skills hub launches in the New Forest
4 March 2024
Businesses in the New Forest are to benefit from a new free apprenticeships and skills training advice service.
We have partnered with Solent Business & Skills Solutions to launch the New Forest Apprenticeship and Skills Hub, which provides businesses in the district with free advice about apprenticeships and skills training.
Businesses can contact the hub for guidance about apprenticeship funding options, levy transfers, and hiring processes, as well as how to find suitable providers for training and skills development programmes. Advice and support are available by email, phone, or in person, which is tailored to the needs of the organisation.
Cllr Derek Tipp, Portfolio Holder for Economy and Planning, said: "Employers benefit immensely from apprenticeships; they gain access to a pool of motivated, trained individuals who are eager to contribute to their business. In turn, apprenticeships offer individuals the chance to gain valuable skills, higher earning potential and improved life chances. We are therefore very pleased to offer this specialist advice tailored to the training and development needs of a specific business. I encourage any New Forest business considering taking on an apprentice, or improving the skills of their workforce, to contact the New Forest Apprenticeship and Skills Hub".
Jodi Fair, Programme Manager at Solent Business & Skills Solutions, said: "We're really looking forward to seeing the positive impact this partnership will have on local businesses. By offering our knowledge and advice, we aim to empower New Forest SMEs to be engaged in the skills landscape to close some of the skills gaps they may currently be experiencing."
Businesses can find out more and contact a New Forest Apprenticeship & Skills advisor at https://solentbusinessandskills.com/new-forest-apprenticeships/
More information:
The New Forest Apprenticeship and Skills Hub aims to support local businesses to create and increase the number of apprenticeship opportunities and enhance skills development in the district. More information about our economic development support is available at https://newforest.gov.uk/BusinessInitiativesAndEvents
The council has provided Solent Business & Skills Solutions with funding to launch and deliver the New Forest Apprenticeships and Skills Hub. This funding was awarded to us from the government's UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government's Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills.
For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus
Solent Business & Skills Solutions (SBSS) offers business support services and provides a variety of measures to help businesses succeed including apprenticeships and other skills training. More information is available on their website at https://solentbusinessandskills.com/about-us
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