100 in 100

100 in 100 is an ambitious campaign which aims to highlight the long-term benefits of skills and training programmes to both residents and employers in Southampton.

These benefits range from career progression and talent retention to productivity and business growth. The campaign will showcase success stories over the next 100 days that demonstrate the impact skills and training programmes are making, and why it matters as the economy recovers from the national lockdown.

Nationally, the number of unemployed across the nation between March – May 2021 was reported to be approximately 1.6 million, with 539,000 of these being young people (aged 16-24).

Locally, Southampton has always been a major centre for employment growth across the Solent region and hosts an array of world-class assets such as ABP and the Cruise industry, Ordnance Survey and the National Oceanography Centre. It’s also renowned as a hotbed for Tech and Digital start-up companies as well as boasting two Universities that are both major employers. However, the local economy has taken a hit from the pandemic, especially key sectors such as retail and hospitality. These sectors have a major presence in the city, which in turn has had an adverse effect on keeping people in jobs and generating new jobs; with young people faring worse than others.

As the lockdown restrictions are now lifted, the 100 in 100 campaign aims to channel the range of Government incentives and support to directly boost the supply of skilled, local talent into businesses across city to boost economic recovery efforts and prevent further rises in unemployment.

The scheme is being led by Southampton City Council in partnership with the Solent Apprenticeship Hub, LocalIQ, the Hampshire Chamber of Commerce, Southampton City College, Solent University, Southampton Engineering Training Association, Kiwi Education, Totton College, Digisheds, and City Ambitions.

Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Growth, Councillor Jeremy Moulton said: “It’s imperative we continue to put initiatives in place to get Southampton moving once again. The 100 in 100 campaign is setting a bold target for the Solent Apprenticeship Hub, which when realised, will make a huge difference to both the individuals looking to secure long term employment and the employers that will benefit from the skills that their new staff members will bring to them."

“The ongoing work of the Hub provides essential support to small and medium sized enterprises in the region and this scheme will up the ante once again, securing life changing long term career prospects at a time of great uncertainty for so many.”

Ross McNally, CEO and Executive Chair of Hampshire Chambers of Commerce, one of the leading partners in the campaign said: “The Hampshire Chamber of Commerce is delighted to support the 100 in 100 campaign. One of the key factors behind the city’s projected economic success will be the skills and retention of its workforce. We all know the global importance of Southampton and the wide range of jobs and other work-related opportunities employers across the city are continuously generating.

“If ever there was a time to showcase this and secure local talent in the process, it is now. 100 in 100 gives the perfect platform to do this and the Chambers of Commerce will be working tirelessly to not just meet the ambition behind this campaign but to work with partners to exceed this.” 

Julie Gough Managing Director at SETA said "We are proud to be supporting the 100 in 100 campaign. It is a fantastic opportunity working in partnership with other providers across the City to support our young people and help them with the first step of their careers. As a Training Provider we have been committed to providing engineering apprenticeships to local employers for over 50 years. This initiative will help boost the skills development of our local economy as we all face the road to recovery together”.

Get involved in the 100 in 100 campaign as either an employer or an individual. If you are interested in taking on an apprentice/trainee/kickstart or T Level placement, then you can learn more by speaking to a member of the team at the Solent Apprenticeship Hub, who offer free, impartial advice on your best options.

The Solent Apprentice Hub offer:
I. access to expert guidance of our Hub advisors, who can help you select the right training and skills support for your business
II. support for you to access any financial incentives and funds that might be available to you, guiding you throughout the process, from beginning to end.
III. A direct link to their network of credible training providers, colleges, and universities when you are ready to take the next step.

The Solent Apprenticeship Hub also offer guidance and support to individuals looking to start one of these training and skills programmes.

Read their skills and training index to find out more about the programmes on offer through the 100 in 100 campaign.

Skills Training Index

What is an apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship is a training programme that combines real workplace experience with a classroom training element also. Apprenticeships will last a minimum of 12 months and are paid job roles that can be for any person aged over 16. Twenty percent (20%) of the time on the apprenticeship is set aside for classroom learning and studying to ensure that key knowledge is gained that can then be put into practical use in the workplace the other 80% of the time. Apprenticeships range across all sectors and go right from Level 2 (GCSE Equivalent) all the way up to Level 7 (Master’s Degree Level), so it is a very accessible and progressive way career development and gaining an improved set of skills throughout. The government are offering incentives to employers to support with the regrowth post covid-19. Employers can apply for a payment of £3,000 for new apprentices of any age who have an employment start date of 1 April 2021 to 30 September 2021. This is in addition to the incentive payment of £1,000 employers already receive for hiring an apprentice who is either aged 16 to 18 years old, or aged 19 to 24 with an education, health and care plan or who has been in the care of their local authority.

What is a traineeship?
Traineeships give young people aged 16 to 24 years old a great start to their career; allowing them to gain the essential skills that employers are looking for before progressing onto an apprenticeship or full-time employment. Employers tend to use traineeships to develop an individual right from the outset of their career in order to integrate them with the company culture, build a strong work ethic and so forth. Traineeships are funded by the government and are an ideal way to develop an organisation’s talent pipeline​, they can help to increase capacity and productivity, and employers can become familiar and work with the young people prior to potentially recruiting them as apprentices. ​

What is Kickstart?
The Kickstart scheme is a project launched by the government to support employers with fully funded work placements for 16–24-year-olds who are currently on Universal Credit and are at risk of long-term unemployment. Employers of all sizes
and sectors can apply to this scheme. The Kickstart scheme covers the cost of paying each new recruit’s salary at the national minimum wage for up to 25 hours per week. There is also £1,500 per placement available for set-up costs, support and training each new Kickstarter. Locally and across the region, Solent Apprenticeship Hub is offering support to employers to engage in the Kickstart scheme and also an aftercare service to young people to secure a job/apprenticeship/learning once their placement has ended, whether with their host employer or not.

What are T-Levels?
T-Levels are a relatively new type of skills programme. They follow GCSE’s and are equivalent to three A-Level qualifications. Like apprenticeships, T-Levels combine both work experience and classroom learning to get the best of both technical knowledge and practical application. T-Levels differ from apprenticeships in the length of time, with T-Levels lasting a minimum of 2 years and are also unpaid work placements unlike apprenticeships.

To find out more visit their website: www.solentapprenticeshiphub.com and use either the live chat, a contact form or email directly at hello@solentapprenticeshiphub.com in order to speak to a member of the team.