A consortium of ten Cornish business sectors has formed a partnership to stimulate industry growth and create hundreds of apprenticeships through the Cornwall Apprenticeship Agency (CAA).
The partners each represent support networks for their respective industries and are dedicated to helping companies with workforce training solutions and taking on apprenticeships at a reduced risk and cost.
Part-time skills brokers, who have specialist knowledge of their sectors, have been appointed to work within their business communities. They will create training plans and tailored apprenticeships specific to a company’s needs; sourcing the most suitable training packages and helping to access Government incentives.
CAA manager, Mark Beckett, said: “This is a positive collaboration of partners working together to develop economic growth and employment, through the CAA’s unique proposition.
“The partners have a strong engagement and trusted relationships with employers in their sectors. They are tasked with raising awareness of skills training, developing companies’ training plans and creating apprenticeship vacancies to be supported by the CAA.”
The scheme aims to create 650 apprenticeships across Cornwall over the next two years, with particular focus on supporting small and medium sized businesses (SMEs).
The partners include Cornwall Marine Network for the marine, engineering and manufacturing sectors; Cornwall Sustainable Buildings Trust for construction; Digital Peninsula Network for IT; Creative Skills (part of Arts Centre Trust) for creative; Cornwall Development Company for agri-food; Cornwall Neighbourhood for Change for voluntary and community; Newquay for Excellence for airport operations, hospitality and catering; Tourism Skills Cornwall for tourism; and KXBridge for health and well-being.
There will be a chance to meet the CAA’s specialist advisors at the forthcoming Cornwall Business Show at Kingsley Village (October 2-3).
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