by Chris Price

A new business model based on a programme run in Australia has paved the way for 950 apprenticeship places in Kent, Surrey and Sussex.

The apprenticeships will be offered in business administration and law, retail, health and public services and care, IT and telecoms, engineering and manufacturing, active leisure, education, and land-based opportunities.

The newly-created South East Apprenticeship Company (SEAC) will work with companies and partnerships in the county to offer more apprenticeships. These companies will set up an Apprenticeship Training Association (ATA) which is designed to help small businesses take on a greater number of apprentices.

SEAC has been created by KEITS (Keeping Excellence In Training Standards) and KATO (Kent Association of Training Organisations). KEITS was one of 12 organisations which won a share of £7m of Government funding to set up the new ATAs.

The ATA will see companies act as a recruitment agency, placing apprentices with 'host’ employers. This new model has provided around 10 per cent of all apprenticeship places in Australia. If the host business is unable to continue supporting the apprentice for any reason, they return to the ATA and are re-assigned to another business.

Minister for the South East, Jonathan Shaw, said: “The Government is determined to mitigate the worst effects of the recession and ensure there isn’t another 'lost generation’.

“This ATA will give the smaller firms in Kent, Surrey and Sussex greater flexibility to take on apprenticeships.

“It will equip this generation of young people with the skills employers need for their future success. Together these will help us get on the road to recovery.”

The funding will also help develop new Group Training Associations (GTAs) in areas with low numbers of apprentices. For small businesses which might not have the capacity to provide their own training, a GTA helps them to share expertise with other employers and develop their own dedicated training.