The GCP has partnered with Form the Future CIC and Cambridge Regional College to launch the new service, which will link prospective apprentices and businesses to boost the number of apprenticeships across Greater Cambridge.
The GCP is committed to increasing the number of apprenticeships across Greater Cambridge by at least 400 and wants businesses to bring in more to help attract and develop highly skilled staff.
The new service will see Form the Future and Cambridge Regional College develop a hub service to both inform and support apprentices and help businesses identify how best to introduce apprenticeships.
Aidan Van de Weyer, the lead member of GCP’s executive board for skills, said: “We have a clear vision that makes the most of this area’s incredible growth and job opportunities. Increasing the number of apprenticeships will help both those getting into work and businesses themselves and is absolutely a key part of the Greater Cambridge Partnership’s vision.
“I’m looking forward to seeing how Form the Future and Cambridge Regional College work together to deliver a new service that transforms how students secure apprenticeships that get them into a rewarding and fulfilling career.”
Anne Bailey, co-founder and director at Form the Future, said: “Form the Future has worked closely with the GCP since we started to strengthen the careers education that local schools can provide.
“Apprenticeships have always been an important part of our work with students and this new contract gives us an excellent opportunity to build on the work we’ve started and see how many more young people we can help to choose an apprenticeship as their next step.”
Mark Robertson, principal and chief executive at Cambridge Regional College, said: “Cambridge Regional College are delighted to be working with Form the Future to develop an apprenticeship hub for the Greater Cambridge Partnership, and for the people and businesses of the area.
“This joint initiative brings together two highly performing organisations. Cambridge Regional College are one of the largest and most successful colleges in the country and Form the Future have established themselves as the leading regional organisation in developing schools and community engagement.
“Apprenticeships are good for employers; enabling organisations to develop and to benefit from emerging talent. They are good for apprentices - providing training opportunities to develop a career whilst being paid.
"We are excited about what the hub will bring; a much better source of information and connection to enable schools, businesses and prospective apprentices to be brought together to enable greater opportunities.”
Form the Future will shortly launch a web portal that will allow students to register their interest in receiving further information, taking part in workshops or attending careers advice sessions.
It will also be a useful source of information for parents, schools and businesses and will enable the latter to find out more about the potential benefits that apprentices can bring to their organisation.