The West Lancashire Challenge aims to create
apprenticeships as well as training and work experience
opportunities within businesses, and increase participation in
volunteering.
The project, delivered by a core partnership of West Lancashire
Council for Voluntary Service, West Lancashire Borough Council and
West Lancashire College, is funded by central Government through
the West Lancashire Local Strategic Partnership.
The project has three main themes:
- Developing a ‘West Lancashire Passport’ to create a pathway for
learners and potential learners into employment
- Engagement with business to provide advice on how to create
apprenticeship, training and other employment positions for their
company; and to work with businesses to ensure potential employees
are ‘job ready’, and
- Encouraging volunteering, community engagement and
development.
The West Lancashire Passport element, led by West Lancashire
College, will enable local people to set personal goals, log
progress and review their achievements. Achievement will be
supported and validated by partners and employers.
The business engagement side of the project, aims to promote
awareness of workforce solution products (i.e. apprenticeships,
internships and other training schemes). While the project cannot
fund such provision directly, it instead aims to provide advice and
guidance to local businesses on available apprenticeship and
training schemes and how to access them.
There are a number of benefits to businesses in creating
apprenticeship positions, with research showing that apprentices
increase company efficiency, product/service quality and create a
committed, talented and loyal workforce.
To demonstrate its own commitment to apprenticeships, the
Council has taken on two apprentices to work on the project. Their
own thoughts on apprenticeships are as follows:
“I have enjoyed my apprenticeship so much and continually
advanced business skills by taking on more and more
responsibilities within my role. I gained relevant experience
that has ensured I am well equipped to work within my current
role, at West Lancashire College".
Alex Lambie
Former Challenge Apprentice, West Lancashire Borough
Council
“My apprenticeship taught me what it is like to work in a
business environment – I learnt new things everyday that
I couldn't do by simply hearing about them in a classroom.
Also, the work-based learning allowed me to gain an NVQ level 2 and
3 qualification on completion of my apprenticeship.”
Amy Kirby
Former Challenge Apprentice, West Lancashire Borough Council
There is also a volunteering and community development element
of the project, which is being led by the West Lancashire Council
for Voluntary Services. This includes encouraging volunteering
amongst young people and encouraging business leaders to take on
board level positions in the voluntary and third sector.
Who to contact
If you are interested in providing apprenticeship opportunities
within your business, or in any of the other schemes mentioned,
please contact the Economic Regeneration team on:
Email: info.edu@westlancs.gov.uk
Tel: 01695 712692
Or complete the online: Business
Support Enquiry Form
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