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 <strong>Somerset</strong> <strong>Chamber</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Commerce</strong> isstressing the importance <strong>to</strong> local businesses <strong>of</strong>supporting <strong>Somerset</strong>’s young people in order <strong>to</strong> keeptheir valuable skills in the county.According <strong>to</strong> the <strong>Chamber</strong>, businesses should notunderestimate the value <strong>of</strong> the skills, enthusiasm andfresh outlook that young people can bring, all <strong>of</strong> whichwill help boost the local economy both in the short andthe longer term.business as cus<strong>to</strong>mersare encouraged <strong>to</strong> seethat a business has along term plan involving awide range <strong>of</strong> ages.“As with any activity, youonly get out what you putin and time spent interviewingand meeting withyoung candidates andtaking time <strong>to</strong> select theright one for yourbusiness is vital. In ourexperience, young people are great forbusiness.”The <strong>Somerset</strong> <strong>Chamber</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Commerce</strong> also worksclosely with the <strong>Somerset</strong> Employment & Skills Board,which brings businesses and partner organisations<strong>to</strong>gether <strong>to</strong> help businesses access high-qualitytraining through apprenticeships for graduates andexisting employees.Vice Chair <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Somerset</strong> <strong>Chamber</strong>, Graham Knight,is also Chair <strong>of</strong> the Grow <strong>Somerset</strong> Talent Group andHead <strong>of</strong> Business Development at Strode College. Heexplains, “It is important for <strong>Somerset</strong> businesses <strong>to</strong>harness the enthusiasm <strong>of</strong> the county’s young people,as keeping their skills in the county will help <strong>to</strong>strengthen the economy and our future skills andknowledge base. We know that 83% <strong>of</strong> 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 Direc<strong>to</strong>r 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 <strong>of</strong> this adds value <strong>to</strong> theChairman <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Somerset</strong> Employment & Skills Board,Kath Gigg, says, “Many employers we talk <strong>to</strong> getinvolved with their local school or college and build areally productive relationship that helps prepareyoungsters for the world <strong>of</strong> 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% <strong>of</strong>managers who employ apprentices agree that theymake their workplace more productive.”<strong>Somerset</strong> 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% <strong>of</strong>apprentices and 81% <strong>of</strong> businesses wouldrecommend apprenticeships <strong>to</strong> friends or otheremployers.For further information on apprenticeships and otherskills training visit:www.apprenticeships.org.ukwww.skills4somerset.org.uk14 Previous pageImage courtesy <strong>of</strong> FreeDigitalPho<strong>to</strong>s.net - Career Paths Signpost (c) artur84Next page
Richard Huish CollegeNew Principal appointed at RichardHuish CollegeJohn Abbott has been appointed as the newPrincipal <strong>of</strong> Richard Huish College. The sixth formcollege, in Taun<strong>to</strong>n, is rated among the <strong>to</strong>p A-levelcentres in the country.John <strong>to</strong>ok on the role <strong>of</strong> Acting Principal followingthe departure <strong>of</strong> Dr Peter Avery in December andhas now been appointed the <strong>to</strong>p position withimmediate effect.John joined Richard Huish College in August 2003as Faculty Direc<strong>to</strong>r for Maths and Sciences. Prior <strong>to</strong> that,he was Section Leader at Bridgwater College. He was in post at Huish when the college achieved its first‘outstanding’ Ofsted inspection in November 2003, and the second ‘outstanding’ Ofsted inspection in Oc<strong>to</strong>ber2007. He was promoted <strong>to</strong> Assistant Principal in 2009/10.The father-<strong>of</strong>-two, who is originally from Blackburn, read Sport and Exercise Science at ManchesterMetropolitan University and went on <strong>to</strong> complete a Masters in Sports Psychology and Exercise Physiology. Johnis a keen sportsman who has had representative honours in both squash and basketball.John says, “I am very excited atthe opportunity <strong>to</strong> lead andshape this outstanding collegethat provides <strong>to</strong>p qualityeducation <strong>to</strong> the local andextended community aroundTaun<strong>to</strong>n. The Huish namecarries with it a reputation forhigh standards, academicexcellence, provision <strong>of</strong> qualityteaching and a commitment <strong>to</strong>develop the holistic needs <strong>of</strong>the individual learner, and I feelprivileged <strong>to</strong> be in a position <strong>to</strong>develop the college further.”Guy Adams, chairman <strong>of</strong> theCollege Corporation, says, “Weare naturally delighted <strong>to</strong> haveappointed John. He is a verystrong and capable leader andwe look forward <strong>to</strong> working withhim.”www.huish.ac.ukPicture: Guy Adams and JohnAbbottPrevious pageNext page15