Member Article

MP visit highlights that apprenticeships will be key to UK’s COVID-19 recovery

Employer-led apprenticeships and training will be vital to the UK’s post-pandemic recovery according to Dominic Gill, managing director of the West Midlands based national training provider Intequal.

Gill was speaking during a virtual visit to the business from the Minister for Apprenticeships and Skills, Gillian Keegan, who was seeing how Intequal are optimising their apprenticeship and training programmes to help the UK’s economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.

Keegan’s visit provided an opportunity for several employers Intequal works with across the country to highlight the importance of training and development as they look to reinvigorate their business following the lockdown.

It was the latest in a series of visits to training providers as the minister has been seeing how providers have been adapting their programmes so they can continue to support learners during the lockdown and how this can best be used to support a long-term national recovery.

And Gill highlighted how training now can not only help to support career entry for local talent and those looking to switch careers but also boost the future growth of the businesses by providing innovation in the workplace for years to come.

He showcased how employer-led training schemes should prioritise the skills that employers will need in both the short and long term as they look to get their business back on its feet.

“We were delighted to welcome Gillian Keegan MP to Intequal,” he said. “It enabled us to showcase our work to her and show how supporting learners with work-ready skills will be important to our national recovery.”

“As the economy gets back on its feet, industry recognised training that is valued by employers and supports them with the skills development of their businesses will be vital.

“Employers will focus on equipping their existing staff and new hires with the skills and competencies that they require to emerge and thrive in a competitive marketplace. They should do this by targeting their training and ensuring career pathway planning with a clear approach to the business outcomes they need to unlock.

“When managed correctly apprenticeships are a talent acquisition solution that brings immediate dividends to a business, especially when it comes to IT and digital roles.”

The session included contributions from employers and learners at Warwickshire-based infrastructure firm Telent, Surrey-based IT support company projectfive, and Reading-based tech giant Microsoft UK.

Rebecca King, Apprentice Lead at Microsoft UK said: “It’s clear that skilling, training and apprenticeships are going to be central to a broad and inclusive recovery programme and new job creation. We believe in their value as qualifications which is why, with the support of Intequal, Microsoft has supported more than 20,000 apprenticeships in the UK over the past ten years.”

Intequal provides training through an interactive, online tutor-led model, with 97% of those who study with the provider completing their programme. 92% of Intequal apprentices stay with their employer after completing the programme. Intequal is a Microsoft learning partner (Silver) for the Microsoft Partner Programme.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Alana Castle .