FOR businesses right across the UK, and here in the North-East, apprenticeship programmes represent a hugely valuable training and development tool. More than 250,000 people of all ages signed up to an apprenticeship in the UK in the 2009-10 academic year – which in itself is a real vote of confidence in the value that these programmes bring to businesses across all sectors.

As the region’s largest independent training provider, NECC works with hundreds of businesses, big and small, right across the region, helping them to put in place training programmes to develop a skilled workforce that matches their needs.

Apprenticeships are a very effective way of building a skilled workforce that is perfectly suited to the business’ plans. And we highlighted in our Manifesto – Driving Sustainable Growth – released at the start of this year, the increasing need to invest in apprenticeships and staff training.

We believe that employee development is of paramount importance in ensuring that our region’s economic recovery is safeguarded. A skilled workforce is the lifeblood of a successful economy, so through apprenticeships, we can really start to grow the North-East’s skills base, and ensure that businesses choose to invest in the area.

The National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) recognizes over 190 different apprenticeship courses, each designed by business, for their business.

Companies will work with a training advisor from NECC to help them ensure that their apprentice is getting the right level of support and practising the right on-the-job skills to ensure that by the end of their course they will be fully qualified.

The mix of structure, teamed with the flexibility of tailoring learning that meets the needs of the business helps ensure that employees can be moulded by their employer, and by the end of their course, they will have the deep understanding of their role, and the business, to help them really contribute to the company’s development. And for many businesses at the moment, there is value in growing a team that will deliver long-term value to the company.

Next month, the NAS will launch National Apprenticeship Week, running from February 7 to 11. The week aims to raise awareness of the value that apprentices bring to business.

North-East businesses should really take note of this. There is real raw talent in the region, and harnessing this through apprenticeship programmes is something that I genuinely think can help us to grow the region’s skills base and so, the economy here.

■ Joanne Fryett is head of member relations for the North-East Chamber of Commerce