HIRE AN APPRENTICE

FUTURES

Expand your workforce

Upskill your team

Tailor talent to your needs

Hiring an apprentice or upskilling an existing member of staff helps build a stronger workforce that is motivated, skilled and appropriately qualified to meet the needs of your business.

Apprentices come with all levels of experience: from school leavers to university graduates, from career changers to self-improvers. Hiring an apprentice is a cost-effective and exciting way to offer on-the-job training, enjoy higher staff retention, and build a culture of learning and development.

To find out more, email apprenticeships@croydon.ac.uk

Data from apprenticeships.gov.uk

Smaller employers are eligible for government funding which will pay between 95% and 100% of the apprentice training costs. Larger employers can use the levy to pay for training.

Welcome

Since 1953, the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip, Baron Greenwich has been the Patron of the South East London Chamber of Commerce. On his death, it was confirmed the Duke of Edinburgh would remain as our Patron and we were delighted when King Charles III conferred the title on the former Earl of Wessex in celebration of Edward's 59th birthday on Friday, 10 March.

We have been busy working with our new Board and the new SELCC Strategic Growth Plan is in place. This includes a sustainability agenda and we look forward to working with our membership on the ‘greening of business.’ I am delighted to confirm we have two new Strategic Partners, Group 1 Automotive formerly Beadles, a Jaguar/Land R4over dealership and the sponsor of last year’s Golf Day. Group 1 will be sponsoring our next Executive Lunch with David Woods, British Business Bank plc and again, the Golf Day at Royal Blackheath.

Our second SP is ITS Technology Group, a leading provider of ultrafast connectivity which enables businesses and communities to develop in the digital age. Read all about Digital Greenwich Connect on Page 41.

Just after writing my Welcome, I learnt of the sad death of former Chamber director, Steve Maynard. Many of you will remember him from his earlier life at HSBC and during his time on the Board, Steve contributed greatly to the changes which were needed to build the Chamber we have today.