07/03/14
CALLING ALL WORCESTERSHIRE BUSINESSES!
The Worcestershire Construction Apprentice Academy (WCAA) launches in March 2014, and businesses from around the county are being invited to find out more about the WCAA, understand how to employ an apprentice, financial grants available and the benefits an apprentice can bring to a business.
The WCAA has been set up by one of Worcestershire’s largest privately-owned building contractors, Speller Metcalfe, who is working in partnership with the Worcester College of Technology to deliver the Academy and bring together employers and apprentices in Worcestershire.
Steve Speller, Joint MD at Speller Metcalfe explains the reasons behind the WCAA: “Having worked with many apprentices over the years, we know first-hand how important they have been to our business. The majority have gone onto long careers with us, progressing onto Site Manager positions and other vocations.
“We are now at a point where we want to support local businesses and apprentices beyond Speller Metcalfe, and so the Worcestershire Construction Apprentice Academy has been founded to do just that – provide both financial and advisory support to businesses and apprentices for a longer-term future.”
Apprentices are already entitled to receive financial grants through the National Apprenticeship Service, and the WCAA will be supporting employers with an additional £1000 per apprentice. Supporters of the WCAA will also be offering trade incentives to both employers and apprentices, with Bradfords Building Supplies and Travis Perkins already supporting the Academy.
Emily George, Business Development Manager from Worcester College of Technology, believes the WCAA will help assist the growth of businesses via the recruitment of an Apprentice. “This will ultimately lead to increased Apprenticeship opportunities for young people, who wish to pursue a career within the construction industries in Worcestershire.”
Both apprentices and employers looking to find out more, visit www.constructionapprenticeacademy.com.