A scheme that helps young people to gain apprenticeships and supports local firms has been officially launched.
East Sussex County Council has been working with seven other local authorities with the aim of making it easier for employers in the construction industry to take on more apprentices.
A special training agency, called ‘TrAC’ – Training and Apprenticeships in Construction – is now up and running.
Councillor Nick Bennett, lead member for learning and school effectiveness, launched the scheme on behalf of East Sussex CC at an event at the House of Commons last week.
“This is a really good scheme – a win-win that supports businesses and helps to boost the job prospects of young people,” said Councillor Bennett.
“Many of our companies are small or medium sized and they may struggle to meet the costs of hiring an apprentice. The beauty of this scheme is that TrAC will directly employ the apprentices and then hire them out to local firms, much like a temp agency, thereby reducing the costs of the businesses concerned.
“East Sussex County Council already promotes work experience and apprenticeships through its procurement process and this TrAC initiative is a really positive addition to what we do.”
Young people looking at the construction industry as a career will benefit from the TrAC scheme, which will be rolled out in all the partnership areas – Kent, Medway, Essex, Thurrock, Southend, Norfolk and Suffolk.
If you’re a business and would like to know more call 07973 141302 or email heather@tracweb.co.uk.
If you’re interested in becoming an apprentice you can apply online:
or call 01263 735486 or email madeline@tracweb.co.uk
Further information
TrAC has been developed in East Sussex through the existing Build East Sussex initiative. Build East Sussex is a network of construction companies, sub-contractors, business support organisations and local councils set up to make it easier for small and medium sized businesses to win contracts with the big construction firms.