Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s innovative Apprenticeship E-Hub, developed by Workplus and fully funded by the Department for Communities through the Labour Market Partnership, has successfully completed its pilot programme, which provided an online portal for apprenticeships across the Borough.
Funded by the Department for Communities, Labour Market Partnerships create targeted employment action plans for council areas, allowing for collaboration at local and regional level to support people towards and into work.
The Apprenticeship E-Hub project has created greater visibility and access to apprenticeship opportunities at Levels Two, Three, and Higher-Level Apprenticeships (HLA), while supporting the sustainability of local businesses by developing a skilled talent pipeline.
Darwin Smith, Owner of Smiths Engineering Works, hired an apprentice through the pilot programme. He commented on the welcome support of the E-Hub: “Recruitment is getting increasingly difficult for our sector so providing apprenticeships is key. It is hard to find people so growing them from within works tremendously well.’
The Apprenticeship E-Hub offered a user-friendly platform where individuals seeking apprenticeships were easily able to explore and apply for available positions across multiple sectors. This pilot has significantly expanded access to career opportunities by streamlining the connection between potential apprentices and local employers, promoting long-term career development in industries that are vital to the region’s economy.
Funded through the Department for Communities’ Labour Market Partnership, the initiative aimed to boost employability and support economic recovery by creating a bridge between education and industry. The E-Hub offered a one-stop solution for those interested in Level Two, Level Three and Higher-Level Apprenticeships, empowering individuals to take their first steps into rewarding careers, while also ensuring businesses have access to the skilled workforce they need to thrive.
Richard Kirk from Workplus commented:"The Apprenticeship E-Hub has been an exciting and much-needed development. Apprenticeships provide a fantastic way for individuals to earn while they learn, and for businesses to grow the talent they need for the future. The success of this pilot shows that by bringing everything into one accessible online platform, we can help more people start meaningful careers while addressing the skills gap in our economy."
Through the E-Hub, over 85 apprenticeship placements at L2, L3 and HLA levels were made available, with a diverse range of local businesses participating from sectors including engineering, construction, IT, hospitality, and fitness and wellbeing industries. The platform’s easy navigation, detailed information, and support tools have empowered both young people and career-changers to discover new apprenticeship pathways.
Andrea Kernohan, owner of BeFIT, employed two apprentices through the E-Hub. She commented: “I knew I wanted to bring on an apprentice but I wasn’t sure how to do that. The Hub helped me from start to finish and I secured two new starts -it’s been one the best business decisions I’ve ever made.”
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Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Borough, Alderman Beth Adger, MBE, added: "The Apprenticeship E-Hub pilot is part of our ongoing commitment to improving access to meaningful employment opportunities and supporting the local economy. By helping people connect with apprenticeships at all levels, we are investing in our workforce and ensuring businesses have the skilled talent they need to thrive in the future."
The Apprenticeship E-Hub pilot has not only given young people more direct access to apprenticeship openings but has also enhanced the sustainability of the local business base by fostering long-term employment partnerships. By creating a reliable talent pipeline, the platform ensures businesses can continue to access skilled individuals trained to meet the demands of today’s and tomorrow’s industries.
With the success of the pilot programme, discussions are already underway to expand the E-Hub platform, incorporating more apprenticeship offerings and involving an even broader spectrum of industries.
For more information about the Apprenticeship E-Hub, contact: amplify@midandeastantrim.gov.uk
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