Worcestershire has a particularly impressive reputation for offering high-level apprenticeships that provide a student with significant in-demand skills across several core industries. Worcestershire Growth Hub, an official partner of One Worcestershire, has made significant contributions towards the county’s success in this regard, offering many opportunities for new and existing employees.
The county of Worcestershire has a higher rate of employment for cyber, IT, defence, agricultural technology and advanced manufacturing than the rest of the West Midlands, and even England itself on average. By using the government’s Plan for Jobs initiative, Worcestershire Growth Hub is supporting employers that offer all levels of apprenticeships including high-level apprenticeships.
Companies in Worcestershire are both training fresh recruits and up-skilling their pre-existing staff to ensure a comprehensive range of skills throughout the county. Engineering, manufacturing, digital skills and cyber skills are amongst the most in-demand (and profitable) skills today, so Worcestershire Growth Hub is supporting the development of these abilities.
These businesses are also embracing Net Zero schemes as part of their apprenticeships – with this leading to a significant increase in jobs. With this requiring innovation and many of these aforementioned in-demand skills, the Nomis Business Register and Employment Survey 2022 suggests current staff levels may increase by 200%.
Judy Gibbs, Worcestershire LEP director of skills said: “Worcestershire is experiencing phenomenal demand in apprenticeships from employers in 2022/23. We have seen, in the last year, around a 135% growth in engineering manufacturing and ICT apprenticeship starts for residents, outstripping other sectors in both growth and overall numbers, and being seen as key route ways to succession plan into these industries.
It is of course good to see these sectors using apprenticeships as part of their workforce strategies, acknowledging the vital skills needs these dominant Worcestershire industries have and it is really positive to see this upwards trend where skills gaps and needs are in the Worcestershire economy.”
The five distinct geographical areas of Worcestershire each have their own unique focus. North Worcestershire is a hub of manufacturing, while Worcester City specialises in this alongside health and care. Malvern Hills has a science park to complement its many technology companies. The Vale of Evesham is known for its horticultural sector, and the Rural Heartlands have many micro-businesses.
As National Apprenticeship Week starts, Worcestershire Apprenticeships is working with the Growth Hub and One Worcestershire to promote apprenticeship opportunities throughout the county. Their database shows the live traineeship and apprenticeship opportunities currently available – and the skills that trainees or apprentices learn could help them stay ahead of the competition.
For more information, visit the Worcestershire Growth Hub.
