Walsall Leather Skills Centre apprentice
The 16th annual National Apprenticeship Week kicks off this week (6-12 February), and an organisation providing financial assistance to Walsall businesses is looking to support employers offering apprenticeship opportunities for young people.
Walsall Business Support aims to provide financial investment to businesses wishing to increase job prospects in the borough, with apprenticeships being a great foundation to train and upskill young people.
For a small business, apprenticeships are a great opportunity to fill skills gaps, bring a valuable new perspective and can help to improve productivity in the workplace.
The Leather Skills Centre received a £5,000 funding boost from Walsall Business Support to purchase specialist equipment for learners to grow new skills. The centre provides apprenticeships in the leather making industry, teaching the next generation of saddle, bridle and leather goods makers.
Walsall Business Support Board Member Rob Colbourne said: “The specialist tools and other resources paid for via the grant, will ensure that the Leather Skills Centre trains apprentices to the highest standards so that Walsall’s reputation for high quality leather products continues to grow.
“Apprenticeships not only benefit business but also give the local economy a boost during these challenging economic times. Walsall Business Support want to offer funding to those businesses looking to grow, train new and existing employees and offer employment opportunities to support the Walsall borough.”
The Leather Skills Centre grant was featured on the BBC News, who interviewed Stu Annikin, saddle director at Albion Saddlemakers, who said: “To have this right now in Walsall is perfect because we are finding it much harder to get young people into the trade.” Walsall Leather Skills Centre manager Christer Dahlberg said: “This is kind of outside the box, to have young people here doing leather work because not many people know it still exists.”
National Apprenticeship Week celebrates the positive impact that apprenticeships make to individuals, businesses and the wider community.
This year’s theme ‘Skills for Life’ will reflect on how apprenticeships can help individuals to develop the skills and knowledge required for a rewarding career and help businesses to develop a talented workforce that is equipped with skills for the future.
Walsall Business Support can provide grants and a free training needs analysis to businesses looking to generate growth, create employment or shape training opportunities for the borough of Walsall.
Using an online application form on the WBS website, bids for financial support can be submitted by businesses needing investment in a new project or a company wanting to improve skills.
For more information, please go to: https://walsallbusinesssupport.co.uk/.
