MPs and the Mayor of Milton Keynes congratulated Bedford College
on the success of the new Apprenticeship Academy in MK.
The academy is run in partnership with a
national organisation Aspire Achieve Advance Ltd
(3AAA) to bring employers together with young people from the
age of 16. The result has been 44 new jobs created to the end
of January 2012 for aspiring young IT and accountancy
professionals.
The academy in Silbury Boulevard can also
boast 100% pass rates among 30 young people who are on this
accounting apprenticeship endorsed by the Association of Accounting Technicians
(AAT).
These successes were acknowledged at the
official opening of the academy in Silbury Boulevard on Thursday
January 26th when dignitaries and employers gathered to hear more
from speakers from Bedford College, 3AAA, AAT and CompTIA . Guests
included: MP Mark Lancaster, MP Iain Aitken Stewart, and Mayor of
Milton Keynes Cllr Alan Richards .
The academy brings under one roof two of the
pioneering apprenticeship models developed by 3AAA:
NITP - National IT Partnership - Microsoft and CompTIA
accredited
AAP - Accounting Academy Partnership -
AAT accredited
Bedford College Principal Ian Pryce
said: “Since opening in September 2011 our partners
3AAA have been working hard to engage with employers so they see
the value of our this new approach to apprenticeships. The 44 new
jobs which have been created since we opened, as a result of that
ground work, were not vacancies being advertised, but new posts
where the recruitment team have shown employers how their business
can benefit from engaging a bright young apprentice.”
The format of these apprenticeships have been
tried and tested across the UK by 3AAA and been acknowledged
nationally. Bedford College has a
NITP establishment within its Bedford campus which
has been successfully linking young people with employers across
Bedfordshire.
Jane Scott Paul OBE CEO of AAT
applauded the accountancy course: “We have the worst
youth unemployment figures in memory but courses such as this which
offer accelerated completion without compromising standards will
young people into jobs. Such apprenticeships give employers
qualified, confident and competent staff members.”
Mark Lancaster MP:
“I’m an enormous fan of the apprenticeship
programme.
"In my other life I work in the fireworks
business with my father the famous Rev Lancaster, vicar of
Kimbolton and maker of fireworks. I have taken great pleasure
on New Year’s Eve, whilst standing by Big Ben, seeing one of our
apprentices press the button that sets the fireworks off in
London.
“The series of courses on offer at the
Academy offers a great contribution to the expansion of Milton
Keynes.
“Apprenticeships must be demand driven and
the Academy is a shining example of what Bedford College and 3AAA
can produce.”
Iain Aitken Stewart MP:
“I am a huge supporter of apprenticeships
and for too long they have been undervalued as a training option,
particularly for young people leaving school.
“I want apprenticeships to be a valued
option for students leaving school.
“Apprenticeships have to be flexible and
tailored to the needs of employers.”
Mayor Cllr Alan Richards thanked
employers for attending: ”For our town, or we hope
soon City, to go forward we need the support of entrepreneurs
to provide employment for our young people. I congratulate Bedford
College on this academy.”
Employer and apprentice:
Michael Glossop of miltonkeynes.com explained that his
company runs a community website, builds websites and offers print
and design and promotional services to local businesses.
He said:
“Apprentice Sonny Darriba has been a real asset to the
business, working on web editing and programming. He truly
excels at graphic design. I would advise other businesses to
consider taking on apprentices – my experience has been very
positive.”
Sonny added: “The
apprenticeship means I can earn money whilst working and
learning. I’m getting a lot out of it."
Employer and apprentice:
Trevor Millward of Vending Warehouse provides
a vending machine service to both Bedford College and the Academy
in Milton Keynes.
He explained: “Mark
Williams, Academy Manager, persuaded me to take on an apprentice
and I haven’t looked back since. Apprentice Paul Rothesay has
developed websites and has lots of innovative ideas and self
drive. His work has opened up new business avenues and
opportunities for the business.”
Paul added: “I am
enjoying working and training, especially as I achieve new
qualifications every week.”