Shropshire Star

Star comment: Honoured by Duke's support

It is deeply significant that the Duke of York has backed the Shropshire Star's campaign which will simultaneously tackle youth unemployment and provide skilled workers for local businesses.

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Prince Andrew is synonymous with business and he has been unstinting in his support of apprenticeships. It is heartening that he has taken an interest in Shropshire and we are honoured to have his support.

Prince Andrew is full square behind our campaign called Ladder for Shropshire. He has offered generous support to the initiative, which will bring together young people who find themselves with limited opportunities and businesses open to the idea of taking on and training such candidates.

Whether you are a business looking at taking on an apprentice or a young person after work, there are plenty of benefits to getting involved with the Ladder for Shropshire campaign.

We want companies large, medium, and small to take on one or more apprentices.

  • Visit www.ladderforshropshire.co.uk

An apprenticeship is a paid job that includes on and off-the-job training and leads to nationally-recognised qualifications. Youth unemployment is a challenge in Shropshire as it is throughout the country. We want to close the skills gap between school leavers and employers by creating more direct entry routes into work-based training schemes.

Apprenticeships enable you to start working and earn a decent wage while you learn key skills and gain qualifications. You'll get first-hand knowledge of how the industry works, and see whether or not it's really what you want to pursue as a career. As an apprentice, you'll be treated like a regular employee with paid holiday leave.

One of the largest advantages of apprentices is that you will get the qualifications you need in your field, while being able to put the skills you learn into practice at the same time. Being able to show that you have got industry experience plus qualifications will give you a huge advantage over other job applicants.

For every apprentice a firm takes, there is eligibility for a government grant of £1,500. Firms will be required to pay each apprentice the national apprentice wage of £2.73 per hour, although we encourage employers pay more. The standard minimum wage for 18 to 20-year-olds is £5.13, while for those under 18 it is £3.79.

To take on an apprentice – or to ask how you can become one – you can call the low call rate 0330 9998441 or 0800 9998441, which is free from landlines.

The importance of such a campaign cannot be understated. For while the economy continues to move away from a period of depression and austerity, many challenges lie ahead. The recovery remains incomplete and more must be done to restore economic prosperity.

More particularly, efforts should be tailored to meet the needs of our beautiful county and its hinterland. They range from the macro to the micro; from multi-million pound investment in improved infrastructure, better roads, greater accessibility to ultra-fast internet and fit-for-purpose business parks to educating people and businesses about the advantages of credible apprenticeships.

Our region's economy is unique. Telford's urban enterprises and large-scale manufactures are surrounded by a rural area, where small and medium-sized businesses are the norm and where innovation is de rigueur.

The Ladder for Shropshire aims to deploy intelligent, made-to-measure solutions to the needs of both young workers and local businesses. It aims to provide long-term career prospects for those who find themselves in the unfortunate position of being out of work. It also intends to create a pool of labour for the local economy.

There are enormous challenges to face – and they will be met head-on.

The support of the Duke of York is telling and his voice will lend weight and gravitas to efforts to help youngsters get into employment.

Prince Andrew remains highly respected in the world of business.

With his support and the region's best efforts, youngsters can climb to the very top of the Shropshire Ladder.

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