100 in 100 campaign offers boost to local economy
The ‘100 in 100’ campaign in Southampton is in full swing, with over three-quarters of the target of 100 work skills placements secured within 100 days already exceeded. With 83 new job opportunities created across the city, the supporting partners of the campaign are encouraging businesses from a wide variety of sectors to grasp the current incentives and initiatives that are available.
100 in 100 is a campaign aiming to grow job opportunities across the city of Southampton by finding 100 work skills placements for unemployed Southampton residents all within 100 days. The campaign will channel the range of government incentives and support to directly boost the supply of skilled, local talent into businesses across our city, boosting economic recovery efforts and preventing further rises in unemployment. The work skills placements being included in the campaign include apprenticeships, traineeships, kickstarts and T-Levels.
Jodi Fair, the Solent Apprenticeship Hub manager, said: “With over three quarters of the target of 100 already surpassed at just day 28 of the 100-day target, we are thrilled to see so many of Southampton’s businesses supporting the campaign and we hope that the closing incentives and support offers available will encourage further businesses to get on board.”
Until September 30 2021, businesses can apply for a range of government grants worth up to £4,000 for hiring apprentices. This grant can be used for anything to support an organisation’s costs including uniform, salary, or travel costs for example. This, paired with the usual incentives of hiring apprentices and the promotional opportunity of the 100 in 100 campaign, means that there has never been a better time to hire an apprentice!
Support from the HomeServe Foundation
Whilst there is further support available to all sectors, trades businesses can also make use of the partnership between Solent Apprenticeship Hub and registered charity the HomeServe Foundation, which is aiming to link as many potential apprentices with small and medium-sized trades businesses in the region before the deadline.
Southampton and the south coast region are potential hotbeds for a growth in trades skills, demand for which has increased significantly since the pandemic.
A dedicated and impartial team is now on hand to help link potential apprentices to trades firms in the city, and also give sole traders and small trades businesses all the information and support they need to recruit one.
“It’s important we champion initiatives like this – one of only two in the UK currently – to get Southampton moving, and we’d encourage people to take advantage of this exciting collaboration between the Solent Apprenticeship Hub and the HomeServe Foundation,” added Jodi. “Campaigns like this can help us reach our bold targets and give opportunities to people looking for secure long-term employment in growing sectors like our trades.”
More information about how to get involved with 100 in 100 is available on the 100 in 100 page and trades businesses interested in incentives and support can find more information on the homeservefoundation.com website.