Employers invited to myth-busting breakfast at Sheppey

Sheppey and Swale employers are invited to learn how to boost their business prospects through apprenticeships thanks to a co-venture between Canterbury College at Sheppey and the Department of Work and Pensions.

Apprenticeship experts will be answering employers’ questions and dispelling a few myths at a business breakfast which takes place at the Bridge Road campus from 8am to 10am on Thursday, 9 February.

Employers will be able to find out about Canterbury College at Sheppey’s apprenticeship courses and employment opportunities for those that take them. The event is open to both those who currently offer apprenticeships and also those looking to build their business through an effective apprenticeship scheme.

Department of Work and Pensions’ Sylvia Page, partnership manager for Swale, explained how apprenticeships have come on in recent years. She said: “There are a lot of myths surrounding them. A lot of employers think apprentices are all engineers and mechanics. You can take apprenticeships in anything at all from customer service to hairdressing to retail to sport and leisure. Apprenticeships are the way forward for young people, with the way the job market is going.”

The breakfast is part of Canterbury College at Sheppey’s new year, new start campaign to get young islanders into education or employment. It will be holding two Apprenticeship taster days that week. Attendees will be able to try Hairdressing, Administration, Retail and IT taster sessions.

Sheppey principal Philip Wicker said: “We are determined to assist local people who wish to train themselves for work, and we can offer full advice on benefits, funding and fees.”

The event is being organised by Canterbury College at Sheppey, the Department for Work and Pensions, Job Centre Plus and local partners. If you are interested in taking part, free of charge, call Paul Norris on 01795 562679 or email paul.norris1@jobcentreplusgsi.gov.uk or Chris Miller on 01795 568326 or email chris.miller2@jobcentreplus.gsi.gov.uk.