In a climate where there is a real need to drive economic growth, employers need a skilled workforce to ensure future business prosperity. Apprentices can improve productivity as they develop skills around the needs of your business. Recognising the benefit apprenticeships bring to the organisation, KCC has employed 199 apprentices within the past two years.
The flagship programme of the Kent jobs for Kent’s young people campaign is the Kent Employment Programme (KEP), which was established in order to encourage Kent based businesses to take on unemployed 18-24 year olds as apprentices. As part of the scheme, KCC offer grants of £2,000 per apprentice recruited. This can also be coupled with a further national grant. So far the KEP team has placed over two hundred apprentices across the county, including sixty in the Whitstable area.
At the Kent2020 event on April 25, the team showcased apprenticeships and all they have to offer Kent businesses and young people.