Small businesses in Dorset are being invited to attend a free one-day conference to find out more about how they can ‘take on an apprentice and tackle their recruitment challenges’. The Apprenticeships 2.0 Conference is being hosted by Dorset Careers Hub, a local government body that is working with schools and businesses to deliver ‘excellence in careers education’.

The event, which takes place on 29 June at the RNLI College in Poole, aims to ‘change the perception of apprenticeships and show the benefits that taking on an apprentice can bring to businesses, both in the short and long term’, with expert speakers providing ‘real-world insights and help to demystify the process with the additional aim of increasing the number and quality of apprenticeships offered in Dorset’.

The conference, which is completely free-of-charge and available to 50 business delegates from around Dorset, is being delivered by Dorset Careers Hub as part of its wider Apprenticeship 2.0 initiative; this ‘combines events and research to change perceptions and improve uptake in the county’. A head teachers’ business lunch, parent/carer careers and coffee morning — plus a research project — are also running alongside the conference.

Rebecca Philips, the ‘strategic lead’ for Dorset Careers Hub, said: “Apprentices are a great recruitment option for small businesses, and they provide an exciting pathway for local young people looking to embark on a promising career.

“We are focused on dispelling outmoded negative perceptions and changing the way that students feel about the amazing range of ‘earn-while-you-learn’ opportunities. We have some expert speakers who have benefitted massively from the scheme and who will be on hand to help others understand the process from both an employer and applicant perspective.”

Further information can be found at the website ().