News
Great Annual Savings Group chief executive Brad Groves with Suzanne Duncan , chief executive and principal of East Durham College .
ADVICE
Partnership to create up to 100 apprenticeships in 12 months
A
groundbreaking partnership in County Durham will boost job prospects for young people through a new education and employment pathway .
Seaham-based Great Annual Savings Group ( GAS ) has joined forces with East Durham College ( EDC ) in an agreement to deliver bespoke traineeships , apprenticeships and a fast-track to guaranteed jobs .
GAS announced dramatic growth plans in July , creating 300 jobs within its operations across the UK . Since then , the group has worked closely with EDC to ensure a pathway for young people to access a portion of those jobs through apprenticeships in a variety of specialisms .
With the agreement signed and sealed , the apprenticeships will begin enrolment in March 2021 .
GAS chief executive Brad Groves was born and raised in Easington Lane and is passionate about creating opportunities in the region , a vision shared by EDC principal and chief executive , Suzanne Duncan .
Mr Groves has praised Ms Duncan and the college for their fast-acting approach to delivering further opportunities as the region ’ s job market shrinks in the face of the global pandemic .
He said : “ I ’ m pleased we have found a likeminded partner in EDC who can deliver this vision for the region together with us .
“ There are not many businesses investing in young people in this manner anywhere in the country . Rising unemployment and decreasing entry-level jobs mean they are facing more challenges than ever . I want them to see that people from County Durham can still have an exciting career , as I have .
“ This partnership will see recruits undertake a six-week traineeship at EDC ’ s Peterlee Campus , before moving into GAS ’ purpose-built Performance and Development Hub where they will complete the 15-month fast-track programme .
“ Potential earnings almost double upon completion of the apprenticeship , which is well above market average for an apprentice . The grand prize at the end is a guaranteed job with the group upon completion .”
Ms Duncan said : “ This partnership is an extremely important and exciting development for the college , the region and especially the students and communities we serve .
“ It ’ s clear there will be major challenges faced in the local jobs market , particularly by young people , as the impact of Covid bites .
“ The apprenticeships available through the GAS Performance and Development Hub offer genuine hope and a fantastic , potentially life changing opportunity to scores of local people to join a hugely successful local employer .”
GAS won a regional National Apprenticeship Award for “ best newcomer apprenticeship provider of the year ( SME )” in 2017 and represented the North-East at the national awards in London .
The group ’ s previous apprentices have gone on to earn promotions and further personal development qualifications with the business since completing their courses .
GAS will begin taking expressions of interest over the next few weeks on its website , with the apprenticeship recruitment process beginning in December 2020 .
Feet on the GAS – see our special feature on Great Annual Savings , page 29 .
DON ’ T GET CAUGHT OUT
Here ’ s a very simple question : Do
you need insurance in a time of Covid-19 ?
For so many of you reading this , that will seem like a nonsensical enquiry - the answer is , ' Yes , of course , you do , probably now more than ever !’
But it ’ s a genuine question Elliott Westland staff have heard more than once this year as the view takes root that insurance is virtually invalid in the global pandemic .
Many have read the stories about how businesses weren ’ t insured against pandemic when they checked the small print of their insurance contracts .
But the simple reality is if you drive on a road or employ staff then cover is automatically required by law , along with other insurance policies helping you recover from catastrophes .
As a local broker , some of the insurance policy help we have given to our clients over this period of pandemic include taxis becoming couriers , vehicle fleets reduced to fire and theft only , allowing a premium saving , restaurants becoming takeaways , unoccupied premises remaining fully covered and free extensions to policy terms .
We constantly review our clients ’ insurance policies and monitor our insurance partners for service and price .
And for those who have worked so hard to build a business for themselves and their family , insurance remains vital in a time of pandemic when everyone is facing uncertainties .
Don ’ t make the mistake of not being properly insured during these of all times .
Lucy Elliott Managing director , Elliott Westland Insurance brokers
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