Farron: 'No better time to take on an apprentice'

The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) have published a report highlighting good practice for providers and employers to take forward in their apprenticeship recruitment processes. Tim is urging local businesses both big and small to read the report and take on an apprentice if they haven't previously or maybe look at taking on another apprentice if they already have one.

Tim's call comes on the back of an announcement by the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust who are seeking 50 apprentices. They will study a Level 3 diploma over two years at one of the partner organisations - Furness College and Lancaster and Morecambe College - with a guaranteed job at the end.

Locally since 2010, over 2,800 apprenticeships have been started and we have seen a doubling of apprenticeship places.

Tim is especially urging small businesses to look at hiring an apprentice. To try and help with the costs the county council's Lib Dem-run local committee have also agreed a fund for apprenticeships in the South Lakes. The money is targeted at small and medium sized businesses, for young people not currently in employment or training. Small and medium sized businesses will be given up to £2,500 to support them in training an apprentice.

Tim said: "This report offers a good practice guide for anyone interested in taking on an apprentice. This guide added to the funding we have secured to help small businesses means that there is no better time to take on an apprentice.

"Since 2010 we have created nearly 3,000 apprenticeships. That is an amazing figure and is testament to the fantastic local businesses we have in South Cumbria. Our apprenticeship campaign has made a massive difference and it's something I am incredibly proud of.

"Every time we create another apprenticeship, we do that knowing we help another person into work and allow them to earn and learn a trade at the same time."

- The match factor - good practice in apprenticeship recruitment research report can be found here: http://www.cipd.co.uk/binaries/the-match-factor-good-practice-in-apprenticeship-recruitment_2014.pdf