New scheme to increase participation by the BME community in city apprenticeships begins

An initiative aiming to boost participation by Black and Minority (BME) young people in apprenticeships has been launched by Leeds City Council.

Aiming to engage a minimum of 500 young people from BME communities, the new programme will work in the city’s schools and further education settings as well as in local communities to raise awareness of the wide range of apprenticeships on offer in Leeds which can open the door to a career in many different sectors. Assisting this work will be tailored one to one support for each young person. This will include help to register and submit effective applications and in interview preparation to secure an apprenticeship, which increasingly is becoming a very competitive market.

Mirroring the picture nationwide, BME groups are currently under-represented in the city’s apprenticeships starts. The introduction of this scheme will complement ongoing activity being undertaken in Leeds to address this imbalance and put in place building blocks that it is hoped will result in a consistent rise in participation from the Leeds BME community in the future. To find out more about the initiative, which will be delivered by Prospects, please contact: Akeel Hussain, personal adviser, on 07584390335 or email: pass@prospects.co.uk.

Included in the opportunities now available is a chance for young people from BME groups to take part in a 12-week introductory traineeship which could lead to an apprenticeship in the council’s sports and active lifestyles service. As part of the programme which will be delivered at council leisure centres, those taking part will be expected to complete a national pool lifeguard qualification. To find out more on how to apply, please ring: Julie Parkin on 0113 3780339 or email the team on: sport.training@leeds.gov.uk

For more information regarding the wide range of opportunities which are available through Leeds City Council’s apprenticeship programme, please see: https://www.leeds.gov.uk/residents/learning-and-job-opportunities/job-vacancies-and-apprenticeships-around-leeds

Councillor Mohammed Rafique, Leeds City Council’s executive member for employment, skills and opportunity said:

“Apprenticeships are a fantastic way in which to open the door to a career in a variety of different sectors, and we especially want young people in Leeds to be aware of and have the chance to benefit from the exciting opportunities on offer.

“We are already undertaking a lot of work to engage with BME communities in Leeds around our apprenticeship offer. Through this new initiative, we will be working closely with BME groups in schools and further education to highlight the career paths on offer, and as part of our package providing tailored support to help them have all the information at their disposal to apply for and secure an apprenticeship.

“One such opportunity is the chance for people from BME groups to secure an apprenticeship in the council’s fantastic sport and active lifestyle team, and we hope to see a high level of applications for the initial 12-week training placement.”

Notes to editors:

Participation rates by members of the BME community in apprenticeships in Leeds currently stands at just over 10%, in line with the national average. It is hoped that through this initiative and associated work being undertaken by the council and partners to boost numbers, this will be raised to 15% by 2019.

For media enquiries, please contact;

Colin Dickinson, Leeds City Council press office (0113) 39 51578

Email: colin.dickinson@leeds.gov.uk