Thinking Business February 2023
Welcome to the latest edition of Thinking Business.
Apprentices are the future generation of the business world and investing in them is crucial to plugging the skills gap.
The National Apprenticeships Week (6-12 February), we look at the importance of investing in apprenticeships and how the scheme benefits new career starters by allowing them to earn-as-they-learn and gain recognised qualifications in the process and also how they benefit employers.
BAE Systems is recruiting 2,600 new apprentices and graduates this year, 84 of which are to be taken on at its Rochester site. Read all about their plans in the Big Interview with Dave Banks, who is the business centre Director at Rochester site.
Things are certainly looking bright in Kent. With the Government’s renewed focus of education as the way forward for the UK to bounce back to its place among the economic powerhouses of the world following the disruption of the Covid pandemic and Brexit, this is only good news for the area. In particular, the Skills Development Fund is providing money to EKC Group, MidKent College and North Kent College to create facilities designed to enhance futureproofing businesses.
We are delighted to have been chosen by the Department for Education as one of the Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIPs) across the country following our successful pilot., We will work together with employers to ensure that our voices are heard, and local needs are addressed in Kent and Medway.
The numbers of businesses complaining of a lack of key personnel has risen from 39% to almost half whilst the number of school leavers going on to University has fallen for the first time in a decade. Apprenticeships offer a solution to both employers and young people starting out in their careers.
National Apprenticeships Week highlights the vast range of training available. You can find out how businesses around the country are benefiting from hiring an apprentice at www.nationalapprenticeshipweek.co.uk
I wish all our readers a very successful 2023.
Jo James, Chief Executive
Kent Invicta Chamber Commerce
