Get South Devon Working - Dispelling myths around apprenticeships

Torbay Development Agency invites South Devon businesses to attend a FREE breakfast networking event on Friday 16 March, between 8am to 10am at the Toorak Hotel, Torquay.

The event aims to highlight the advantages of hiring an apprentice to tackle unemployment levels, and to raise the skills of the local workforce.

On the job training can benefit businesses across all sectors by offering a cost-effective alternative to hiring qualified staff, and is a good way of generating committed and skilled employees. Despite this, many businesses still hold reservations towards hiring apprentices, opting instead to search further afield for a workforce.

A variety of support organisations will be on hand to assist on the day. Those confirmed include the National Apprenticeship Service, South Devon College, Paignton Secretarial College, Devon Education Business Partnership, Acacia Training and Development, and PSC Training.

Gordon Oliver, Mayor of Torbay said: Work based learning schemes benefit not only the employer and the trainee, but the entire community. These types of initiatives are essential for the growth of our economy so I urge all local businesses to make full use of this valuable event.”

Deborah Passmore, Partnership Executive for Torbay Development Agency said: Torbay Development Agency set up this event to tackle unemployment as part of an ongoing objective to improve the economy of the Bay.

We know that the information on apprenticeships can often be misleading to employers at times, so the event was created as a means of changing the negative perceptions towards hiring at-work trainers.”

Tea, coffee, orange juice and bacon sandwiches will be provided for all confirmed attendees.  Places are limited and allocated on a first serve basis, to book contact Nicola Scoon on 01803 208369 or email by Friday 9 March.