A new business service has been launched to support apprenticeships in the West Midlands.
The initiative is aiming to help employers, apprentices and individuals who have been affected by the coronavirus crisis and lockdown.
It is being run by Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP) in conjunction with a range of partners including the Ladder for Greater Birmingham campaign which was launched in 2018.
The Ladder, which has created hundreds of new apprenticeships across the region, is funded by GBSLEP and Birmingham and Solihull Training Provider Network.
It is run by community development group The Vine Trust and training provider Performance Through People with our sister website BirminghamLive as media partner.
The LEP's new 'triage' service will help employers continue training staff previously on apprenticeship programmes but who have since been furloughed.
It will also match off-programme apprentices, or those who have been made redundant, to new vacancies.
There is also information and guidance to apprentices as they search for new roles or look to develop skills while employers will receive recruitment help.
Apprenticeship training providers will also be supported to co-ordinate filling vacancies and communicate with at-risk or recently lost apprentices.
The apprenticeship triage service is one of several new business programmes announced by GBSLEP last week including a click and drop service, online training and a grant scheme.
Helen Higson, chairwoman of the LEP's employment and skills board, said: "Apprenticeships play a huge and vital role in boosting the economy of the GBSLEP region.
"Collaboration and close partnership working, as seen with the launch of these triage services, are crucial in ensuring the development of more employer-led programmes.
"They also create new opportunities for learners.
"Covid-19 has had a profound impact on businesses across all sectors and we want to make sure we are giving employers every chance to retain staff and encourage apprentices to develop skills to help them become the next generation of leaders in their respective industries."
