Funded by Goole Town Deal, Opportunity Goole is hosting two separate drop-in events for local people and business owners to attend to mark National Apprenticeship Week, which runs from 10 to 16 February.

Both events will be held on Wednesday 12 February at Goole Library. The first is an Apprenticeships In Childcare event between 12 noon and 2pm. Local training provider First Avenue Training will be in attendance, along with some local childcare providers, to answer any questions that people have about apprenticeships in childcare, including what to expect and how to access support. Individuals who have completed, or are in the process of completing, an apprenticeship will also attend to offer an insight into the many benefits of working towards a qualification through an apprenticeship. 

Joe Hodgson, Promotions Co-ordinator for Opportunity Goole, said: “This is a unique opportunity to meet people and organisations who can give you friendly, free advice on how to take your first steps into, or back into, a career in childcare, as a teaching assistant or in other similar roles. 

“Local childcare providers who are interested in working with Opportunity Goole and other local providers to take on apprentices would also be very welcome to attend to find out more about the benefits to their organisation.”

From 5pm to 7pm that same day, Opportunity Goole, together with Invest East Yorkshire’s Business Support Services team, which is part of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, will host a Benefits Of Apprenticeships For Business Owners event. Members of the Business Support Services team will give a short but informative overview of what the process of taking on an apprentice entails, as well as highlighting some of the things to consider. A business owner who has taken on an apprentice will also be on hand to chat to those who attend.

Chair of the Goole Town Deal Board Phil Jones, who owns and runs his own business locally, said: “As a business owner, it makes sense to take on an apprentice because you can train someone in your methods and philosophy, and it’s also great value for money. This event aims to provide answers to any questions that business owners may have, as well as signposting them to the wealth of support services available to them.”

One of eight projects funded by Goole Town Deal, Opportunity Goole provides easy access to information about local job opportunities, training provision, business support and more to anyone over the age of 16 years, regardless of whether they’re employed, unemployed or retired. The team’s role is to help local individuals gain the knowledge and skills that they need to secure employment, and ensure that employers can recruit local people with the skillset that they’re looking for. 

Meanwhile, Opportunity Goole’s Flexible Grant Scheme provides grants to individuals, charities, businesses and voluntary sector organisations towards the cost of securing training, employment and business opportunities. To be eligible for a share of the funding, applicants must be able to demonstrate that their grant will help to boost the local economy by giving people access to training or job opportunities, or by helping businesses to grow.

To find out more about the support on offer from Opportunity Goole or to arrange an appointment, email opportunity.goole@eastriding.gov.uk.