BUSINESS and council leaders were today announcing plans to create 10,000 apprenticeships across the region’s six local authorities over the next year.
The Liverpool City Region Apprenticeship strategy will be unveiled this morning at the Knowsley site of car maker Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), which is one of its key private sector backers.
It is currently recruiting 1,500 new staff – ahead of the July launch of its new Range Rover Evoque – who will all train up to intermediate (level 2) apprenticeship.
JLR’s manufacturing controller Alan Walker said: “Apprenticeships are fantastic for business because you get enthusiastic staff who are eager and willing to learn.”
He added: “Speaking from experience, the benefits to business are enormous.”
Knowsley council leader Cllr Ron Round will welcome the commitment to the strategy today, and said: “We have already seen the Knowsley Apprentice scheme transform the lives of 300 people in our borough – now this city region-wide programme will help thousands more.”
Cllr Nick Small, Liverpool’s cabinet member for employment and skills, said: “We face some tough challenges ahead to adapt and help our businesses to grow in line with the future needs of the economy.
“This is going to require different skills in our workforce and apprenticeships are an ideal way to do this – which is why we are confident that businesses will be keen to sign up to this new city region-wide strategy.”
