Two Essex colleges still have vacant apprenticeship places and are appealing to parents and carers to ensure young people know how an apprenticeship can benefit their future.

With the Government delivering on its commitment to create three million more apprenticeships by 2020, this year’s National Apprenticeship Week, in March, saw employers across the country pledging to create 30,000 new apprenticeships and traineeships.

However, supply chain and logistics development manager at South Essex College, Mark Bentley, says concern is growing that young people are not recognising the value of apprenticeships.

The college currently has around a dozen vacancies in the growing logistics sector.

Mark and his team at the Thurrock Campus have also been in contact with other local companies keen to recruit.

Mark said: “The supply chain and logistics sector is really buying into apprenticeships as an ideal way of recruiting fresh talent. It is a great shame that we are struggling to recruit young people to these vital roles.

“These businesses will not wait forever and Thurrock risks losing these apprenticeship opportunities which is the last thing we want to see.

“I want to appeal to parents to speak with their sons or daughters about

these opportunities.

“If your children are leaving school, or you are an unemployed adult aged 24 or under, we really want to hear from you.”

At Procat there are more than 100 apprenticeships vacancies still available.

It is working with a number of leading employers in the engineering and construction industries, such as Bombardier, to fill their apprenticeship programmes. However, there is a shortage of students coming forward to grasp these opportunities.

Since becoming the UK’s first college of advanced technology, the opportunities available at Procat have begun to attract national and even international interest – however the college would like to ensure as many people in Essex are aware of the fantastic career opportunities on offer.

To find out what is available at PROCAT visit http://www.procat.ac.uk/

or for South Essex College visit www.southessex.ac.uk/apprenticeships