Member Article

Flying the flag for Apprenticeships

A North East training provider is set to expand internationally in a unique trade mission to the United States.

Profound Group, based in Peterlee, have been chosen to take part in the Transatlantic Apprenticeship Exchange Forum in Washington DC & Baltimore on the 25th to 28th of October.

The Transatlantic Apprenticeship Exchange Forum has been established to coordinate and nurture better trade links between UK-based training providers and U.S. partners looking to expand American apprenticeships, following President Obama setting out the challenge and investing $175 million in American Apprenticeship Grants.

The US Department of Labour and delivery partners are actively looking to engage with and learn from international providers with a strong track record of delivering apprenticeships.

As one of only 8 providers chosen from the UK, Profound Group plan to gain international recognition for Apprenticeships in the North East by sharing their knowledge and expertise with international partners.

Paul Champion, CEO of Profound Group, will meet with government officials and Apprenticeship State Agencies in the US to pitch employer engagement ideas. Paul said, “I am looking forward to representing the very best of UK apprenticeship delivery overseas. Profound Group is well positioned to provide expertise in employer engagement and innovative apprenticeship delivery in the international market

“Here, in the North East, we are not only demonstrating how our own region can benefit from apprenticeships but exporting our expertise and knowledge outwards to international markets, where we can show how employers in wider destinations can take advantage of UK style apprenticeships in an effort to curb their own youth unemployment problems and create affordable access to education”

Paul has previously been involved in various parliamentary groups looking at apprenticeships and skills. In 2011, he worked with the Hong Kong Government in developing a viable, robust apprenticeship model to tackle youth unemployment in the region.

Paul, added: “The message to the United States and everywhere else is no different- apprenticeships are the building blocks of the economy. Investing in structured schemes benefits business while providing a sense of belonging for young people, equipping them with the confidence and important skills to ensure they are able to go on to play a full role in both the company they work for and wider society.”

For more information about Apprenticeships with Profound Group, visit www.profoundgroup.co.uk or call 0191 587 4570

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Profound Group .