Pictured: Back left to right, Carol Garrington, of
Passionate Media, with Ian Shephard, from SSC Learning, with the
first round of social media marketing apprentices
More Staffordshire firms are needed for a pioneering new
apprenticeship programme which is creating much-needed employment
for young people, and helping businesses make the most of social
media marketing.
Cannock companies SSC Learning from Hednesford and Passionate
Media, based in Bridgtown, have joined forces to offer the
apprenticeship scheme which is about to begin its second programme
of trainees.
Training specialists SSC Learning are now looking for local
businesses interested in taking on an apprentice to handle their
digital marketing. Throughout their apprenticeship, the young
people will receive training and support from media specialists,
Passionate Media.
The first round of eleven apprentices, who are aged 16-19, were
taken on in September, and are already achieving great results for
their employers. Each of their places cost around £2,500 to
£4,500, and are funded by the Government's Skills Funding
Agency.
The apprentices and their employers, along with representatives
from SSC and Passionate Media are holding a presentation to
businesses on January 13, to help show interested firms just how
much can be gained by taking on an apprentice.
The second programme, due to begin in early January, has 15 new
apprentices now seeking employers, six of whom are aged between 19
and 24.
"We didn't want to continue excluding keen 20-somethings, just
because the funding is linked to age - the older apprentices have
so much to offer," explained Ian Shephard, managing co-director of
SSC.
"We decided instead to raise the group size, which would allow
us to accommodate a third of the group as 19 to 24-year-olds. We
think this will be of even greater benefit to employers, as we feel
the older candidates will bring a maturity to the group dynamic,
and lead the way in terms of their attitude to studying and
business."
Mr Shephard explained that news of the success of the first
group of apprentices is already proving a help in recruiting young
people for future programmes, and hopes there will be a similar
effect on businesses, once they have seen what can be achieved.
"We're finding that apprentices are being referred to us by the
Young Peoples' Service, and by one another. Word-of-mouth is
starting to build, and we are confident the same will apply amongst
employers as the momentum of the programme starts to build," he
said.
"We are now actively seeking more South Staffordshire employers
to become involved, and again, are confident once they have spoken
to our apprentices, and to employers who are now reaping the
rewards of having become part of the programme, that we are going
to see a huge rise in demand from firms wanting to take on
apprentices of their own."
Firms interested in finding out more about the social media
marketing apprenticeships are invited along to the presentation on
January 13th, which is being held at the Roman Way Hotel on the A5,
from noon. The presentation, which will include testimonials from
existing apprentices, and their employers, will begin at 12.30pm,
and will be followed by a complimentary buffet. All of the
new apprentices will be present, and hoping to speak to prospective
employers, along with their trainers.
For more information, or to confirm attendance at the event,
please ring Ian on 01543 448300.