The North East has been hit hard by austerity cuts and closures of traditional industries such as the Redcar Steelworks. As a result, working people have found it much harder to find decent, well-paid jobs with a guarantee of ongoing training and career development.
UNISON has, therefore, been delighted to sign a Local Apprenticeship Agreement with Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council which recognises the quality apprenticeship scheme implemented by the council.
Council Leader, Sue Jeffrey told the assembled 47 new apprentices that the success of the apprenticeship scheme demonstrated what the Labour led council aspired to achieve: quality jobs for local people. Jobs which would help create life long careers benefitting the local community.
Andrew Tickle, UNISON Branch Secretary said that the UNISON Local Apprenticeship Agreement would guarantee the apprentices high quality training whilst being employed on the same terms and conditions as existing council employees.
Duncan Rothwell, UNISON Regional Organiser congratulated the council and outlined the strengths of UNISON’s relationship: working in partnership with the council as an employer, supporting the apprentices and being there for them throughout the whole of their working careers.
The apprenticeship agreement recognises the apprenticeship scheme as investing in future careers rather than ‘cheap labour’ whilst also providing appropriate job supervision, pastoral support and clarity about rights and responsibilities.
