Local MPs, councillors and key employers support Tameside College’s Train Tameside 500 initiative in collaboration with Tameside Council to create new training opportunities in the borough.

Train Tameside 500 is a two-year project to encourage employers to sign up a total of 500 apprentices and help meet growing skill demands in all sectors including high demand areas such as construction, engineering, automotive and health and social care.

The campaign was launched during an event in the college’s Restaurant at Tameside One, on Friday 24th October, which was attended by prominent local politicians, including Jonathan Reynolds, MP for Stalybridge and Hyde, Angela Rayner, MP for Ashton, Councillor Eleanor Wills, leader of Tameside Council and Harry Catterall, chief executive of Tameside Council.

Whitecroft Lighting, Willow Wood Hospice, Diamond Decorators Ltd, Hyde Group and Tameside Council were also in attendance to accept their Train Tameside 500 ambassador certificate from Jonathan Reynolds, who congratulated each employer.

Alongside the employer awards, VIPs and employers delivered speeches during the event on the importance of training local young people and the success the scheme is hoping to bring.

Jonathan said: “It was great to speak at the launch event for Train Tameside 500 alongside my friend and colleague Angela Rayner. It was brilliant to see Tameside College, Tameside Council and business partners come together to kick off a programme that will support 500 local residents into training and employment. It was also a privilege to present the ambassador awards to employers. This initiative reflects the best of what we can achieve through partnership, local ambition, national policy, and a shared commitment to opportunity.”

Carl Shaw, assistant principal at Tameside College, said: “The launch of Train Tameside 500 raises awareness of local employers and the importance of skills and training in industry. As the leading further education provider and number one provider of apprenticeships in Tameside, we are working alongside Tameside Council to encourage employers to consider apprenticeships and work experience placements. I’d like to thank our employer ambassadors who are a fantastic example of how the collaboration between education and industry can thrive.”

Tim Bowes, head of academy at Whitecroft Lighting, said: “We believe training is so important because it allows us as a business to deliver the right growth and skills required to drive our business for the future. We are now getting the right people in the right jobs, and they can see how they help in growing the business. It’s also a clear pathway to success”

If you’re an employer that would like to get involved with the Train Tameside 500 initiative, visit the college’s website www.tameside.ac.uk