Ecoisland, the organisation working to make the Isle of Wight a fully sustainable island within the British Isles, is one of the first organisations to secure an HTP apprentice under the government’s new Employer Incentive scheme.
HTP Training, the leading education and training provider in Southern England, provided counsel and assistance for Ecoisland to secure the £1500 grant to employ a 16 – 24 year apprentice, as well as a carefully selected shortlist.
HTP Training introduced Ecoisland to the Employer Incentive scheme because it qualified on a number of levels. Rachael Fidler, Managing Director at HTP explains: “Organisations who have not employed an apprentice for three years, have limited financial resources and have less than 250 members of staff are all eligible for the £1500 grant. However, companies can find the process of applying for it quite complex. So, we ensure that our consultants have the expertise to provide employers with all the assistance needed to experience the benefits of employing an apprentice. At a time when youth unemployment is at a record high – the paperwork should be the least of an employer’s worries!”
95% of HTP students who complete their apprenticeships remain in employment. HTP which achieved ‘Outstanding, Grade 1′ status from Ofsted in 2008 is now one of the 12 best training providers in the UK.
Rosie Saxcoburg is undertaking an Intermediate Apprenticeship in Business Administration with HTP Training at Ecoisland. Image: HTP Training .
Joni Rhodes, Operations Manager at Ecoisland comments: “We were keen to appoint an apprentice and, as a community initiative with limited resources, the government grant goes a long way. So, based on their excellent reputation, we approached HTP whose expertise was invaluable to help us secure the grant and find an outstanding apprentice.”
In April 2012 Ecoisland selected Rosie Saxcoburg (19) who had sat her A/Ls in 2011 – but due to an error by the exam board her tests were incorrectly marked. She challenged the exam board and Rosie was subsequently awarded improved grades and was accepted on to a course at a university in Lancashire. Rosie left the course because she found it too restrictive, was worried about accruing debt and was concerned that a university course would not guarantee her a job after graduation. Rosie then enrolled with HTP Training for an apprenticeship which helped her secure a role at Ecoisland.
Rosie Saxcoburg says: “What I went through after my A/L’s and university entrance was daunting to say the least. It sounds clichéd, but HTP changed my life. I would definitely recommend an apprenticeship as it gave me the skills required in today’s workplace – and that’s the advice I would give anyone considering their options for the future. Ultimately, an apprenticeship helped me secure a job.”
Joni Rhodes concludes: “Rosie has been an asset to Ecoisland from day one, with a great passion for the project and eagerness to learn. She balances her role with her apprenticeship work amazingly well and we look forward to watching her skills grow within our organisation.”
If you would like to find out more about how HTP Training can assist you to access an Apprenticeship or help your organisation recruit and Apprentice visit: www.htptraining.com email info@htptraining or call 01983 533926 (Isle of Wight Office).
Image Source: HTP Training Website Link: Ecoisland Backs Apprenticeships.
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