GTG supports the push for apprenticeships...
GTG Training has issued a strong message to businesses throughout the country - Invest in skills, invest in people and invest in the future of Scotland. In Scotland, unemployment has risen for the 12th consecutive month, up 5.1%, to a total of 137,000* and with the continual economic threat, GTG Training, who on average sees 17,000 trainees and 850 Apprentices pass through its doors each year, urges Scottish businesses to support Councillor Steven Purcell's initiative of offering an apprenticeship to every qualified Glasgow school leaver who wants one in 2009.
GTG's chief executive, David Scott stated, "Investing in skills and training has never been more important for business. We fully support the initiative by Glasgow City Council Leader, Steven Purcell, and encourage others to follow suit. Only recently did we see a very successful group of individuals complete a training programme at GTG, to then be offered Modern Apprenticeships by leading motor dealer Arnold Clark. Support like this is now growing in Scotland and we urge businesses to get involved by investing in their own staff".
Arnold Clark has over 600 apprentices on training courses at GTG Training's purpose built training centre, noting the importance of investing in Scotland's future. Sir Arnold Clark commented, "It is a critical time to invest in skills and training and we support the initiative by Councillor Steven Purcell, to offer an apprenticeship to every qualified Glasgow school leaver who wants one in 2009. We have already put this into action by offering Automotive Modern Apprenticeships to 18 youngsters who fall outside the entry requirements, after they were expertly trained at GTG as part of our ‘Get into Cars' programme with The Prince's Trust."
For the second consecutive year, Arnold Clark, in partnership with The Prince's Trust and GTG Training, is delivering the ‘Get into Cars' programme as part of its proactive commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility. This innovative training programme has been extremely successful with the eight trainees from 2008 joining Arnold Clark's full apprenticeship course. This year has resulted in Arnold Clark offering another 11 ‘Get into Cars' trainees full time employment and places of their own on the apprenticeship scheme.
The ‘Get into Cars' programme has been the most popular and over subscribed of all of The Prince's Trust Scotland's many ‘Get into' programmes. The five week course covered a number of areas including tyre fitting, basic car maintenance and body shop skills, as well as completing almost two weeks work experience within an Arnold Clark branch.
Councillor Steven Purcell, Leader of Glasgow City Council, said: "Arnold Clark is an excellent example of a company which has recognised the need to invest in the future and, in particular, in the skills of our young people. I am delighted that Sir Arnold has shown such a strong commitment to modern apprenticeships, and his efforts to help people who don't have the qualifications or experience necessary to get onto the job market has to be commended. I hope more businesses will also see the benefits of offering apprenticeships and training. Investing in the skills of our young people is one of the things that will protect us for the future."
*Regional government statistic, January 2009
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