The West Lancashire Challenge partnership helps people into education, employment and training

Mar 1 2013

WEST Lancashire has the second lowest amount of young people in the county who are not in work or learning new skills thanks to partnership working across the borough.

Latest figures from Lancashire Young People’s Service show that 117 young people are not in education, employment and training (NEETs), just 3.2% of the borough’s 16-19-year-olds.

West Lancashire Borough Council is playing its part in continuing this good work by agreeing the funding, in difficult financial circumstances, to maintain its business engagement officer post. By working in partnership with West Lancashire CVS and West Lancashire College through the West Lancashire Challenge project, the person appointed to this position will work with businesses to encourage and support the recruitment of apprentices.

Other duties will include supporting learners and potential learners through the Passport initiative, developing pathways into employment, training and volunteering opportunities.

An apprentice will also be taken on by the Council to work with the business engagement officer and by working with the West Lancashire Challenge team they will be able to support other organisations to do the same.

There are a wide range of opportunities available to all ages through an apprenticeship route.

West Lancashire College will be hosting an apprenticeship event on Thursday, March 14, between 4.30pm and 7pm, where Council staff will be on hand to support individuals and businesses with employment opportunities.

Information about apprenticeships and how to apply for jobs will be available on the night. Businesses can find out more about the benefits of taking on an apprentice and promote their apprenticeship vacancy through West Lancashire College.

The event has been organised to coincide with National Apprenticeship Week, which starts on March 11.

Previous apprentices taken on by the Council have gone on to other employment. Alex Lambie was one of these apprentices. Aged 23 and from Ormskirk, Alex is now working full time at West Lancashire College as a recruitment and sales adviser.

In this role he also encourages businesses to take on apprentices. He helps potential apprentices write CVs and application forms, prepare for interviews and ensure they are ready to take jobs they apply for.

Councillor Adrian Owens, portfolio holder for Regeneration, said: “I am delighted apprentices who have worked for the Council have found other employment.

“The latest borough figures for people not in education, employment and training (NEETs) are great news. This has been achieved through the Council and its partners working together to provide co-ordinated services for businesses and individuals looking for work or training. We are looking to continue this success and help even more people.”

Alex said: “Working at the Council was a huge help to me. I was doing very similar tasks to what I am doing now and the business engagement officer was a great tutor who taught me a lot. I am really enjoying working for the College and hope to progress on to bigger and better roles in recruitment.”

For more information about the West Lancs Challenge please contact Paula Huber, Economic Regeneration Manager on 01695 577177 ext 5359 or email paula.huber@westlancs.gov.uk or Gill Hughes, Project Co-ordinator at West Lancashire CVS on 01695 733737 or gillian@wlcvs.org.