Summary: The focus on apprenticeships is very evident, national apprenticeship week took place recently and Sir Alan Sugar has been advertising the value of apprentices to business on television. To listen to the podcast, click the grey arrow below. This month's show looks at apprenticeships from a number of different perspectives. We hear from the Government departmentnbsp;responsible for apprenticeships, the newly set up National Apprenticeship Service, an employer who has recruited over 100 apprentices in 100 days and two 'Apprentices of the Year'. My first guest is Ian Watmore, who is currently the Permanent Secretary for the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills and he talks to me about why the Government is focusing heavily on apprenticeships and his plans for recruiting more apprentices into the Civil Service. Nextnbsp;up isnbsp;David Way from the National Apprenticeship Service, which came into being on 1st April this year. David tells me why the service was set up and what support they are able to offer. Following David, Sue Williams from Knowsley Council shares some of the secrets of their highly successful apprenticeship scheme, as well as giving some tips how to recruit and retain the best calibre apprentices. Finally, we hear from two apprentices who have both achieved the accolade of 'Apprentice of the Year'.nbsp;Kirsten Taylor is an apprenticenbsp;with North West Employers Organisation and Warrington Council'snbsp;'Apprentice of the Year' and Amy Eddleston is an apprentice with Bramall Construction and is Women in Construction 'Apprentice of the Year'. They bothnbsp;talk aboutnbsp;what prompted them to joinnbsp;their organisations, what they like best about their schemes and their plans for the future.nbsp; To play Kirstenrsquo;s quick video message, click in the middle of screen below. [youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgmf6O0B1BU#38;ap=%2526fmt%3D18] To play Amyrsquo;s quick video message, click in the middle of screen below. [youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q79m6yUX_XQ#38;ap=%2526fmt%3D18] Listening to the show is simple, you can do it in a number of ways and you donrsquo;t need an iPod or MP3 player. Simply click on the grey arrow underneath the show heading and it will play through your computer. Alternatively, you can easily download the file and listen to it later, ornbsp;transfer it onto an MP3 player,nbsp;just right click on lsquo;Downloadrsquo; and select lsquo;Save Target Ashellip;rsquo; The show can also benbsp;playednbsp;on iTunes. To make sure that you never miss an episode, you can subscribe freenbsp;via email, or by clicking the orange RSSnbsp;icon or iTunes button. Each new show will then be delivered automatically to your computer, along with notes about the show, useful contact details and links to additional information. Inbsp;would love to hearnbsp;your feedback and any suggestions for further shows. Either email me directly at karen@publicsectorhrpodcast.co.uk or click on lsquo;Commentrsquo; underneath the show title and type away.ShareThis
