NEXT MONDAY SEES THE START of Apprenticeship Week from 1^st-5^th February and Shona would like to take the opportunity to remind everyone how important apprenticeships are in the current climate.

At the moment there is a lot of competition for positions in the job market so there is no better time to have marketable skills. The Apprenticeship Scheme is a chance to earn money whilst you learn and end up with a recognised qualification at the end of it.

Anybody is free to apply for an apprenticeship as long as you're living in England and not taking part in full-time education. You may have just left school or you may simply be wanting a change in career. Either way, you get paid a guaranteed £90 a week for your first year and £120 a week for every year after. If you're over 22 then you are guaranteed to be paid minimum wage or more.

This scheme comes alongside the National Skills Strategy which was launched by the Government last November. This programme expanded the number of apprenticeships in the country by 35,000 to create a brand new class of skilled technicians throughout England.

Of the event, Shona said:

"This is a chance to celebrate the talents and skills of apprentices throughout the local area. Although we are now officially out of recession, the job market is still a tough one and any extra skills that a person has is a bonus. That is why anyone who is willing should try and take full advantage of this great scheme."

To learn more about apprenticeships or to see what events are happening for Apprenticeship Week in your local area, visit:

www.apprenticeships.org.uk

29 January 2010