The number of people applying for the apprenticeships being made available
in the Bradford region has increased, according to new figures.
Research also shows that businesses could provide a welcome boost for the
local economy if they all hired apprentices. Hundreds of people are
reportedly applying for the apprenticeships that are available in the area,
with a ten per cent rise in the number of school leavers applying and a
doubling of applications from adults. These increases translate into 1,400
adults and 1,200 16-18 year-olds.
Research from the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) claims that the
Bradford region economy could be boosted by £102 million within just six
years if every business took on one local apprentice. Local businesses
would get the chance to train up a member of staff cheaply and with
government funding help, while unemployment would fall, particularly among
the young and the long-term unemployed.
Yorkshire Water is one of the firms offering places on apprenticeship
schemes and it says competition for the places has been particularly tough
this year. It offered just 11 apprenticeships and received 350
applications. The apprenticeships last between two and three years and give
trainees the chance to learn workplace skills and gain
qualifications.
Matt Thomson, a spokesman for Yorkshire Water, explained that apprentices
are a huge benefit to the business: "An apprenticeship is an attractive
proposition and they are vital for us to maintain our skill base."
In the past year, the Bradford branch of the NAS also reported that 2,249
candidates registered with its online service, compared with just 769 the
year before.
Read more about the
benefits of training with learndirect to ensure you
nurture the best talents from your workforce. 
