Despite rising unemployment rates for young people, apprenticeships at Cirencester College are continuing to flourish.

With government grants of up to £3000, local employers are finding this is the ideal time to take on an apprentice.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, 16-24 year olds have been hit particularly hard by unemployment, with 156,000 fewer young people employed in September compared to June. The Office for National Statistics says that this is due to young people being more likely to be working in hospitality and tourism, two of the industries which have suffered the most through lockdown and restrictions.

Despite these figures, apprenticeships are still a popular choice, and young apprentices are enthusiastic to enter the world of work. Government grants announced over the summer can provide employers of an apprentice with between £1500 and £3000 as an incentive payment (before February 2021).

Evie Hockey completed a business administration apprenticeship at This Is Silk in Cirencester earlier this year. She said: "I decided to choose an apprenticeship as I wanted to learn at the same time as working, and university was not the road I wanted to go down. An apprenticeship allows me to study and gain experience at the same time. It's amazing to get an insight into running a business and the work that goes into it."

Sarah Helbrow, apprenticeship manager at the college, said: "The impact of coronavirus on the employment market has compounded what has already been a difficult year for local school and college leavers, and young people generally. We work with employers and apprentices who are brilliant examples of how bringing young people in to any business can provide fantastic opportunities for both the employer and the apprentice."

Many employers are also choosing to 'grow their own', developing the skills of their young employees through an apprenticeship.

Apprenticeships provided by Cirencester College include roles within PR and communications, digital, media, estate agency and business. If you are interested in apprenticeships or you are an employer interested in hiring an apprentice, please visit www.cirencester.ac.uk/apprenticeships  or call 01285 626259.