A city training provider has secured a £1.4 million contract to provide hundreds of apprenticeship places in Birmingham and Solihull.
GB Training says the one-year contract with the Skills Funding Agency is one of the largest single contracts it has secured in recent years.
And bosses say the award is based on GB Training’s successful performance over 2012-2013, which saw greater demand for apprenticeships in the health and social care sector.
The established family-run training firm will provide apprenticeship places in health and social care, hospitality, IT and vehicle mechanics for up to 500 apprentices aged 16-24.
Currently GB Training, based in Bromsgrove Street, has around 200 apprentices registered with it in jobs at businesses across Birmingham and the Midlands.
Director Lawrence Barton said: “Our contract last year was good and allowed us to grow.
“This year we are very pleased with the SFA agreement. It will help us meet the demand for health and social care training which is dominating our recruitment at the moment with almost half of our learners taking level 2 and 3 in this sector.
“We are noticing that more and more apprentices are using this qualification an ideal step towards gaining a degree in nursing.
“We are also aware of a greater demand from employers. Apprenticeships have gained a lot of momentum with both young people and employers realising there is a lot to be gained from them.”
