A TRAINING programme for apprenticeships in Colchester has been approved by the government.

Colchester Institute has been recognised for its active commitment to apprenticeships by its addition to the Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers (ROATP), meaning it is one of the government’s selected providers for apprenticeship training.

In November, all colleges and training providers were notified that in order to continue delivering apprenticeships to employers beyond May this year.

The colleges were required to follow two robust Government procurement processes to enable them to support employers with using the funds in their Digital Apprenticeship Account.

Colchester MP Will Quince has praised the institute’s addition to the register.

He said: “‘I am hugely supportive of the apprenticeship movement and back Colchester Institute with its ambition to deliver high quality meaningful apprenticeships to young people across North Essex.

“Apprenticeships are a great way to learn while you earn, get a foot in the door, gain experience and develop skills within an established business.

“The Government has plans to deliver 3 million apprenticeships by 2020 and organisations like Colchester Institute are key to delivering this objective.”

As part of the nationwide National Apprenticeship Week campaign, Colchester Institute recently hosted an information evening to provide future apprentices and parents with more of an informed understanding of this learning route.

Local and regional employers exhibited on the night to showcase the benefits of apprenticeships, with current apprentices on hand to talk about their experiences.

Amanda Drew, Head of Apprenticeships at the college, said: “Those attending the event were able to fully consider the apprenticeship learning package as an alternative to full time and part time education, where they are earning a wage as they seek to become skilled and qualified in their chosen career path.

“The evening encouraged attendees to consider apprenticeships as a debt free option to obtaining a higher level or degree qualification.”