Strategic Partnership to part-fund new apprenticeships in South somerset

Five new one-year apprenticeships are to be offered in voluntary organisations in south Somerset thanks, in part, to funding from South Somerset Together (SST), the local strategic partnership.

South Somerset Together will contribute just under £10,000 towards the scheme which will provide apprenticeships for adults in voluntary sector organisations.

The total cost of the project is over £53,000. The majority of the funding (£33,000) will come from the government's Invest to Save scheme with the balance of just over £10,500 from the Learning and Skills Council.

The apprenticeships will be offered in the most deprived areas of south Somerset as part of a drive to reduce worklessness. Worklessness is defined as those not in work, but who do not satisfy all of the criteria of the definition of unemployment, for example, due to family responsibility or early retirement.

The scheme will help voluntary sector organisations to employ apprentices that they would otherwise be unable to afford, as well as providing five people with the foundations of new skills that they can build on.

It is hoped that, once the initial one-year apprenticeships have been completed, the apprentices will go on to higher-level work-based training.

The scheme is being co-ordinated by the Voluntary sector Training Alliance (ViSTA) based in Langport.

Paull Robathan, Chairman of South Somerset Together, said; "This project will make a worthwhile contribution to one of our key strategic aims – to reduce worklessness and increase skill levels across the south Somerset population.

"Many voluntary organisations struggle to employ and train the people they need. At the same time, many individuals would welcome the opportunity gain some of the basic skills that would enable them to move on to further training.

"Although this is a short-life scheme, there are significant longer-term benefits to both the apprentices themselves and the voluntary organisations that will be employing them."

Angela Kerr of ViSTA, said; "The voluntary and community sector is a relatively untapped resource in terms of the Government's programmes aimed at supporting adults back into work.   The voluntary sector offers supportive work environments for those adults who are unsure about returning to work and it is fantastic that South Somerset Together has provided the match funding for this Scheme."

It is hoped that the first of the new apprenticeships will be available later this month.