Angela Hughes

A special offer by Cambridge Regional College (CRC) to mark National Apprenticeship Week has led to a jobs boost.

Nearly 40 apprentices were signed up on programmes ranging from warehousing to hospitality.

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) took advantage of a ‘no fees for SMEs’ offer worth up to £600 per apprentice.

Among the organisations helped by the week-long fees waiver were a housing association, a motor vehicle business, an education company, a food production business and a restaurant.

“The response has been amazing,” said Angela Hughes, CRC’s contracts manager for apprenticeships.

“We are delighted that the offer has been so successful and that we have been able to help smaller businesses who can be reluctant to take on an apprentice because of the fees involved.”

CRC is one of the biggest providers of apprenticeship programmes in the eastern region, with a record number of more than 2,200 apprentices currently in training with more than 700 employers.