New service matches builders with apprentices

A new Lancashire training consortium has been launched in a bid to make it easier for construction companies to reach potential apprentices.

The Pennine Lancashire Construction, Education & Training Consortium comprises Elevate's Construction Agency, Accrington and Rossendale College, Blackburn College and Burnley College. The organisation aims to bridge the gap between those looking for work experience and those wanting to recruit and train workforces for the future.

The new consortium will work by matching up companies from across the region with apprentices from a wide variety of industry sectors, all of whom will be pooled from the colleges.

Steve Hoyle, chair of the consortium board, said: "This new venture could truly revolutionise the construction industry in Pennine Lancashire as it will make taking on an apprentice a stress-free process and it will give students from Accrington and Rossendale College, Blackburn College and Burnley College a lot more opportunity to go out into the world of work and get some hands-on experience that can lead to full time employment.

"In the past, companies have found that employing a capable apprentice takes a lot of time and effort, which has resulted in a drop in the number of apprentices being taken on. The new consortium will turn things around so that employers can recruit up-and-coming tradesmen from the area just by making a phone call."

The Pennine Lancashire Construction, Education and Training Consortium is now actively seeking to help both construction companies and apprentices. For further information contact consortium director Clive Weston on 01254 292359 or email cweston@accross.ac.uk.