A report by the Interim Director of Corporate Services set out a proposal to extend the Wirral Apprentice Programme aimed at creating new jobs for young people in the area and updated Members on the project to date.

As part of the Council Budget for 2010/11, a policy option of £500,000 had been made available to extend the Wirral Apprenticeship Programme;

Members had requested that officers investigate all relevant sources of finance to ensure this programme continued to grow, working in partnership with Wirral businesses, giving new opportunities to Wirral’s young people and maximising any opportunities provided by the two major schemes for digital infrastructure and for extensive home insulation.

The funding would increase the total number of apprenticeships under the successful Wirral Apprentices Scheme to a minimum of 200, doubling the original target of 100 apprentices.  Councillor A Hodson expressed his delight and placed on record his thanks to Wirral Invest for all their efforts on this.

RESOLVED:

That the extension of the Wirral Apprentice Programme, as set out in the attached report, be approved.