St Helens Chamber's 100 apprentices challenge
THE challenge to create 100 apprenticeships in 100 days in St Helens is slightly ahead of schedule at the half-way point.
St Helens Chamber and St Helens Council joined together to launch the initiative in April, which has been backed by the borough’s businesses.
Freight forwarder Arends International, based in Newton-le-Willows, is the latest company to lend its support, pledging to take on two apprentices, moving the total to 50 apprentices in 49 days.
Arends’ managing director Mark Ellis said: “St Helens Chamber has always been a great support to our business so turning to them to help us with our recruitment seemed a natural choice.
“Recruiting apprentices allows us to meet our employment needs in a cost effective way and with the help with wages and free training it includes a great support package.”
Funding from St Helens Council and the European Social Fund contributes £2,500 towards wages for apprentices taken on by SMEs.
