Learning about apprenticeships
An EHDC scheme helps pay for apprentices' wages, training and travel costs
Three apprentices got a VIP visit last week as they welcomed East Hampshire MP Damian Hinds into their workplace as part of National Apprenticeship Week.
Our Get East Hants Working Apprenticeship Scheme helps local businesses hire apprentices by offering funding for wages, travel and training.
Damian Hinds MP joined Cllr Ken Moon, the EHDC Portfolio Holder for Economic Prosperity, in visiting three apprentices currently on the scheme and finding out how it helps them and their employers.
Watch our video about the Apprenticeship Scheme here
Since its launch in 2013, our Apprenticeship Scheme has supported 70 apprentices across 52 businesses.
It provides one year's funding, up to £400 towards travel and up to £1,000 towards training for over 25s.
Find out more about our Apprenticeship Scheme
Cllr Ken Moon said: “Apprenticeships are a great way for young people to get on a career path. They give you the experience and knowhow of a work place while providing you with the qualifications you need to go far.
“Our scheme, encourages employers to take on apprentices by taking some of the financial burden off their shoulders.
"The employers will get a trained employee ready to work, while apprentices themselves get to earn while they learn. It is the best of both worlds.”
Cllr Moon and Damian visited three businesses to meet their apprentices, currently benefitting from the EHDC scheme.
In Whitehill & Bordon they met Jakub Delegiewicz who works at D and A Home & Garden as an apprentice carpenter.
Agnieszka Kolodziej, of D and A Home & Garden, said: “EHDC’s Apprenticeship Scheme has been incredibly helpful for us. Having Jakub on board as an apprentice has been brilliant, he has slotted into the company really quickly and is learning everything he needs to become a vital part of the team.
“The extra funding we have received as part of the scheme has made the process so much easier for us.”
Damian Hinds MP said: “Apprenticeships are a great way for businesses to grow talent, whether it is through hiring someone new or developing the skills of an existing employee.
"It was great to see how the scheme is helping these local businesses and enabling the apprentices to gain new skills while earning a wage. Lifelong learning is central to the government’s approach to education, and apprenticeships are a fantastic way to do that, whether you’re a school leaver, or someone who is moving jobs or even returning to the workforce after a break.
"The additional support from EHDC’s own Apprenticeship Scheme really makes a difference for local businesses taking on apprentices, helping to generate local jobs here in East Hampshire."
After a tour of D and A Home & Garden they travelled to Liphook to meet Katie Stewart, an apprentice at graphic design firm Print IT & Design Ltd.
Staying in Liphook they then met Cameron Hill, who is studying barbering at Paragon Skills at working at Rockafella Barbers.
ENDS
Photo caption: (at top of this story): L-R Cllr Ken Moon, Agnieszka Kolodziej, of D and A Home and Garden, Jakub Delegiewicz (apprentice) and Damian Hinds MP
Below: Cllr Ken Moon and Damian Hinds MP with Cameron Hill (apprentice) and Victoria Hill at Rockafella Barbers
