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Employer despairs of apprenticeship schemes that make young people miss out

Preston-based Clayton Recruitment, a nationally recognised recruitment brand, has sought out six apprentices for its ongoing training and development programme.

But unfortunately it's found that it faced what it described as "major challenges" as a result of ineffective communication channels from training providers.

The government-designed programme, allows businesses to recruit apprentices and train them using an external provider.

However, this has left many forms struggling to source the talent they need.

Managing Director of Preston-based Clayton Recruitment, Lynn Sedgwick, told That's Education: “The process has been difficult and highlights how much more work needs to be put into developing effective apprenticeship schemes through training providers, if our experience is anything to go by.

"We can advertise ourselves but not via the gov.net web site which is the portal that many would be apprentices utilise.

This is only available through a training provider, but sadly the training provider we were directed to is inefficient when it comes to communicating and they just won’t return calls.

"This means we’re short of apprentices at a time when we’re really needing to recruit some.

"We currently need at least five individuals to become fully fledged recruitment consultants through our new two-year training programme.

"But the truth is we have been prevented from doing so because of the overly bureaucratic system.

"We need A level graduates and college leavers who have chosen not to go on to university and want high potential, market leading opportunities without having to travel into Manchester, but we’re unable to do so, which is highly frustrating.”

“We’re also looking for a business administrator and marketing executive to work in our growing business support team in line with our ongoing expansion, but these positions have almost been put on the back burner because of all the difficulty we’ve been going through recruiting for the consultant apprentice positions.

"If the government and training providers are serious about getting more youngsters into valuable skilled roles then they need to make some drastic changes to current apprenticeship programmes, because currently, communications channels are simply not up to scratch. We need apprentices to join our team and we need them fast!”

James Cook, a former apprentice who is now the database manager at Clayton Recruitment added: “I was recruited as an apprentice and since joining Clayton Recruitment, I have had the opportunity to undertake training in a variety of different sectors from recognised industry leaders.

 Alongside the training I also received fantastic support from the company which has helped me develop my existing skillset whilst acquiring new skills. The apprenticeship scheme provides a really valuable route into the employment world and I’d encourage more people to take the opportunity.”

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