Around Ealing Winter 2016-17 | 页面 27

APPRENTICESHIPS What employers are saying ■ 80% have reported a significant increase in employee retention ■ ■ ■ ■ 76% agree apprenticeships make their workplace more productive ■ ■ 92% believe that apprenticeships lead to a more motivated and satisfied workforce Data compiled by the National Apprenticeship Service 77% believe apprenticeships make them more competitive wage as their regular full-time staff. “For Pho it’s about the ethos that we can train someone to be a chef, waitress or front of house, and we can give them that first step in the door,” said Lucy. “If someone is willing to learn then we’ve got the tools and the people to be able to teach them. “It’s also good for our teams, and managers, to be involved in developing other people. Every restaurant which has an apprentice really enjoys the fact that they are a part of helping someone develop and grow. While the first few months can sometimes be a little hard work, when you’re looking down the line five months later and you see how much someone has changed it makes it all worth it.” 75% have reported reduced recruitment costs 90% of apprentices stay in employment after finishing their apprenticeship 71% of apprentices stay with the same employer and gaining experience of working really fast and under pressure in a restaurant kitchen.” HOW IT WORKS Ealing Apprenticeship Network supports businesses in setting up the apprenticeships and the training programme required, while helping to match a young person to the placement. It is still possible for businesses to sign up – and the network is also now looking for young people aged 16-24 interested in applying to fill the positions that are available. See the information box on these pages to find out how to get in touch. As Around Ealing went to press 120 pledges had been made already. Councillor Peter Mason, the council’s cabinet member for prosperity, skills, employment and transformation, said: “Ensuring our young people are equipped to get into well paid jobs is a key priority for us. Apprenticeships not only provide another route into a lifelong career, they also offer the kind of on-the-job training you don’t get elsewhere. “There are real benefits for businesses who take on apprentices, and that’s proven by the fact that more apprentices have been recruited above and beyond the target we’ve set each and every year. This year I hope employers will go even further: We’ve already smashed the target of 100 apprenticeships in 100 days.” MORE INFO ■ Call 020 8825 6234 ■ Email apprenticeships@ ealing.gov.uk ■ Visit www.ealing.gov.uk/ apprenticeships ■ Twitter #Ealing100in100 Lucy and Katrina discuss training ‘QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE’ Katrina Pietersen, 24, began her apprenticeship with Pho at the beginning of the year as a salad chef and is currently working towards her NVQ level 2 qualification in catering. She said: