Opportunities to Export - Somerset Chamber of Commerce

Youth EmploymentYoung people are good for businessAs young people across the county weigh up theiroptions having received their GCSE and A-Level resultsthis month, the Somerset Chamber of Commerce isstressing the importance to local businesses ofsupporting Somerset’s young people in order to keeptheir valuable skills in the county.According to the Chamber, businesses should notunderestimate the value of the skills, enthusiasm andfresh outlook that young people can bring, all of whichwill help boost the local economy both in the short andthe longer term.business as customersare encouraged to seethat a business has along term plan involving awide range of ages.“As with any activity, youonly get out what you putin and time spent interviewingand meeting withyoung candidates andtaking time to select theright one for yourbusiness is vital. In ourexperience, young people are great forbusiness.”The Somerset Chamber of Commerce also worksclosely with the Somerset Employment & Skills Board,which brings businesses and partner organisationstogether to help businesses access high-qualitytraining through apprenticeships for graduates andexisting employees.Vice Chair of the Somerset Chamber, Graham Knight,is also Chair of the Grow Somerset Talent Group andHead of Business Development at Strode College. Heexplains, “It is important for Somerset businesses toharness the enthusiasm of the county’s young people,as keeping their skills in the county will help tostrengthen the economy and our future skills andknowledge base. We know that 83% of apprenticesstay with a company after finishing their training, soany investment made now is likely stay within thebusiness.”Specialist engineering company Manuflex Ltd, basedin Highbridge, has supported, encouraged andemployed around 50 young people throughapprenticeships, work experience and governmentsponsored schemes. Managing Director Ray Stewartsays, “In our experience, engaging with young peopleis great for business. They bring fresh ideas, areenthusiastic, have current education disciplines andask great questions. All of this adds value to theChairman of the Somerset Employment & Skills Board,Kath Gigg, says, “Many employers we talk to getinvolved with their local school or college and build areally productive relationship that helps prepareyoungsters for the world of work and also helps thebusiness get the employees they need and want.Apprenticeships are now available in more than 170industries and 1,500 job roles, and around 80% ofmanagers who employ apprentices agree that theymake their workplace more productive.”Somerset businesses employed over 5,200apprentices in 2011/12, with more than the nationalaverage successfully completing their apprenticeship.Meanwhile, a recent BIS survey found that 78% ofapprentices and 81% of businesses wouldrecommend apprenticeships to friends or otheremployers.For further information on apprenticeships and otherskills training visit:www.apprenticeships.org.ukwww.skills4somerset.org.uk14 Previous pageImage courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net - Career Paths Signpost (c) artur84Next page