Apprenticeship uptake in Norfolk more than doubles
Government data also shows we're above the national average by around 10% when it comes to getting people into apprenticeships
Last updated 8th Feb 2022
The number of people signing up for apprenticeships across Norfolk has more than doubled since August.
According to data from Norfolk County Council, while Government findings show we're also above the national average on this, by 10%.
Katy Dorman is the organisation's Apprenticeship Strategy Manager.
She told us the picture's looking really positive, but they couldn't have done it alone:
"It's not just about the increase that we've seen since last year. The number of apprenticeship starts are higher than they were pre-pandemic as well.
"So, this is not just an improvement on one year, this is actually an improvement on the last two or three year's worth of new starts data at the same point of those previous years as well. So it means that more people are engaging with apprenticeships to.
"There's not just our organisation, there's a whole load of organisations across Norfolk that are committed to supporting employers and individuals going down that pathway. Collective effort is key I think.
"We need the training providers, we need the employers and the individuals. If they all come together at the same time with the right support what a great opportunity they'll have".
"This is just Quarter One data, three months of the beginning of the academic year. We've got to keep this up and keep the momentum going.
"It's really exciting that we've seen this real surge in uptake and that it was better than we were doing pre-pandemic. I think to keep it going, we need to keep on celebrating and promoting the stories we see.
"We are continuing to give the incentive of £1,000 to employers who continue to recruit an apprentice. We've still got local incentives and bursary grants that people can apply for to help them with travel expenses and with equipment.
"Ultimately, if we want to keep going in this direction, I think we need to keep that support in place".