Turn to apprenticeships to get a job, young are urged

The number of people in Britain who have been out of work for more than a year has reached a 14-year high, and around 20 per cent of last year’s graduates are still unemployed.

Liz Field, the chief executive of the Financial Skills Partnership, an employer-led organisation that promotes careers in areas such as accountancy, insurance and financial planning, said many young people were looking at alternative ways of getting a job.

She said: “Businesses in the financial services industry are constantly on the lookout for new talent and they are turning to alternative entry routes as a means of accessing wider talent pools – through apprenticeships and school leaver programmes.

“There is a need for young people to get early exposure to the world of work.”

Bluefin Insurance Services, which has offices in Leeds, Harrogate and York, is celebrating after being named in the Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers list.

The list, which is compiled by the National Apprenticeship Service and City & Guilds, highlights firms of all sizes who are doing their bit to help young people get a foothold in the world of work.

Bluefin has 113 apprentices, including 24 in Yorkshire.

The company aims to hire 30 apprentices a year, and the formal training programme takes between 12 to 18 months to complete.

Peter Castle, Bluefin’s Ripon-based head of customer proposition, said: “Our apprentices tell us they find the programme of real value and they appreciate the opportunity to gain nationally recognised professional qualifica- tions.

“The apprenticeship scheme is now embedded in our wider learning and development programme and we are monitoring the first successful candidates closely to ensure they enjoy the career opportunities warranted by their efforts and abilities.

“We look forward to these first groups being the managers and leaders of the future.”

Bluefin is part of AXA UK and employs 1,600 staff in 50 locations.

The apprentices work in a variety of roles including broking, account handling, customer service, sales support and general administration.

Simon Waugh, executive chairman of the National Apprenticeship Service, said: “The first Top 100 Apprenticeship employers represent the very best programmes across the country.

“The list includes organisations of all sizes, from a wealth of industry sectors.

“This highlights the benefits that apprenticeships offer to all types of employers, including increased productivity and improved staff retention.”