AS we come out of recession, there has never been a better time to equip your organization with the skills of the future by employing an apprentice.

Who are we?

We are Herefordshire Group Training Association (HGTA) and, with Worcestershire Group Training Association, we are the largest locallybased provider of apprenticeships in the two counties.

We provide training for workplace qualifications in the specific areas of engineering (mechanical, electrical, fabrication and welding) and business and administration (including customer service, accountancy and warehousing).

All apprentices attend our superbly equipped training centre in Holmer Road and/or a local college to ensure that nationally recognized qualifications are achieved.

Typically we work with employers who are:

Concerned that they do not have the internal resources in place to develop their staff;

Anxious that financial constraints will stop them planning for their future skills needs; or

Frustrated with training providers who do not meet their requirements.

We work with companies from the manufacturing, processing, finance, legal and service sectors, together with utilities and local authorities, who range from small family businesses to major employers who are part of international groups.

What makes us special?

We are governed by local companies who decide how they want their training organisation to be run for maximum benefit to their businesses, employees and the local community.

What we can do for you We have been training young people through apprenticeships in Herefordshire and Worcestershire for over 40 years and have a proven track record of developing them into talented and enthusiastic employees – with success rates well above the national average.

We promote career opportunities via apprenticeships to school pupils, college students and other young people and then select the talent that local employers are looking for – those you can rely on to develop the skills and experience that benefit your business.

The final decision on recruitment is yours but we would work directly with you and promise to make taking on an apprentice a simple process and a rewarding experience – just ask our satisfied customers.

Robert Hunt, HR manager, Special Metals Wiggin: “Apprenticeships are central to ensuring Special Metals Wiggin has a strong productive workforce. A true testament to our apprenticeship programme is that 74 of the apprentices trained over the years have stayed on to make a valuable contribution to the business.”

Pam Wooden, HR manager, Allpay: “Allpay is a very innovative company and training young people is the best solution for us. HGTA has always supplied us with superb young apprentices who always excel.

This must come from the great basic training HGTA gives them.”

Debbie Gittoes, Company Secretary, Arctic Circle: “By investing in our staff we are investing in the people who will be the ones with the skills and ideas to continue to develop the business in the future.

HGTA also has available a range of essential business courses; they are a cornerstone of our people development strategy.”

We also work with companies including Bulmers, Cadbury, Cargill, Denco, Dytecna, Gelpack, Haigh, Herefordshire Council, Hawkins Priday, KGD, Opella and TRP Sealing Systems, Painters.

For more details, visit hgta.org.