Developing talent through apprenticeships

Investing in apprenticeships is an excellent way for the UK economy to recover from the effects of COVID-19\. Apprentices each generate an average **£34,000 of economic benefit each year** in the UK and Government receives a **21x return on every £1 it invests in apprenticeships**.

COVID-19 is having a **deep effect** on the ability of employers to plan and manage the workforce they need to maintain their business. Some businesses are struggling to meet **increased demand** whilst others are fighting to keep going amidst **unprecedented decline** for their products and services.

**Apprenticeships** will provide a **better way** for people to **continue learning and start earning** once this initial period of COVID-19 has passed. However, it's just **hard to find apprenticeships** as you need to be tuned into when individual employers (which are mostly the bigger firms) are recruiting and fill out lots of different forms. You can also apply directly to a training provider but this has a limit on the types of apprenticeships they offer and really they are working to fill their course, then try and find employers.

**Workplus** makes it **easier** for people to find apprenticeships - **think UCAS for apprenticeships**. Workplus is employer-led giving confidence to applicants that they can access a wider variety of apprenticeships and are **applying for a real job, not the hope of finding one**.

Since 2016, Workplus has helped **45 companies in Northern Ireland find 130 apprentices** and can use its experience gained in Northern Ireland to help sectors across the UK & Ireland **develop new and existing talent through apprenticeships**.

To date, Workplus has developed its product to include a **simple application and shortlisting service** for employers. However in order to supprt other employers that have been impacted by COVID-19, **market research** needs to be undertaken, the product needs to be developed to be **location-based** and we need to develop partnerships with more **training providers**, all to ensure that we **provide as many people with as many options as possible.**

**Effect of Extension for Impact**
We will use this extension project to help 60 employers find 90 apprentices by March 2021. We will deliver this by on-boarding more employers to Workplus using the tools we have developed in the initial project and then deliver an inspirational promotional campaign to aspiring apprentices and their influencers, including virtual events for schools, parents and those in unemployment. Helping everyone see that Workplus is the place employers and apprentices meet.