Search
17 Nov 2025
Search
17 Nov 2025
Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content.
Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist.
If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter .
Support our mission and join our community now.
To continue reading this article, you can subscribe for as little as €0.50 per week which will also give you access to all of our premium content and archived articles!
Alternatively, you can pay €0.50 per article, capped at €1 per day.
Thank you for supporting Ireland's best local journalism!
Alfie Steer enjoying life as a Sea Fisher Apprentice
The Torbay Weekly and South Devon College have joined forces in a campaign to give Torbay's young people a new start in life - as apprentices.
The Torbay Weekly and South Devon College have joined forces in a campaign to give Torbay's young people a new start in life - as apprentices.
An acute shortage of businesses willing to take on apprentices is currently denying those young people that vital step on the ladder to a job and that future.
South Devon College has now issued an urgent call to employers across South Devon and Torbay as more than 200 young people are currently waiting to start an apprenticeship, but not enough local businesses are stepping forward to take them on.
The campaign, launched today, aims to achieve 100 Apprenticeships in 100 Days.
South Devon College's new apprenticeships campaign
The Torbay based College says the region is facing a growing disconnect between the number of young people keen to work and the number of employers willing to hire them. It’s believed a combination of economic uncertainty, misinformation and rising business costs is contributing to the issue.
Principal and CEO Laurence Frewin said: “We have hundreds of young people who want to start work today. What we do not have are enough employers coming forward offering these young people an apprenticeship. Too many businesses are basing decisions on myths, particularly about the cost of hiring an apprentice, and it is holding young people back.”
Apprenticeships are a very popular alternative to traditional learning routes giving young people the opportunity to earn as they learn, gain invaluable skills and work experience.
South Devon College has seen a surge in interest for apprenticeships, with more than 200 applicants this year, but they warn if employers do not step forward, many of these young people will either leave the area or miss out on vital early career opportunities.
To try and stop young people moving away, and to help maintain a skilled future ready workforce, the college has launched an ambitious campaign: 100 Apprenticeships in 100 Days with the aim to secure 100 apprenticeship commitments from employers across the region.
Torbay MP Steve Darling is backing the campaign by writing to 400 local businesses encouraging them to get involved.
One of the biggest obstacles for employers, the College says, is confusion about costs. Many mistakenly believe hiring an apprentice is expensive. In fact, most employers pay no National Insurance for apprentices aged under 25, and financial incentives of up to £1,000 are available, with further incentives for foundation apprenticeships.
Local businesses are already working with the College to highlight the benefits of hiring an apprentice.
Learning the hi-tech way
Richard Poustie, Operations Manager at the Paignton based engineering SME Bay Photonics, said: "Our apprentices bring fresh perspectives and quickly become productive members of the team. Apprenticeships allow us to train people in our exact processes, which is invaluable.”
Matt Prowse, Senior Recruiter and Trainer at Whistl, said: "The positive impact of apprenticeships resonates across every area of our business at Whistl. Apprenticeships increase staff engagement by broadening learning and involvement across multiple teams, often linking in with apprentices from outside of Whistl. They bring us fresh thinking, new perspectives, and the latest professional updates from certified tutors."
Nursing apprentices
Suzy Hubbard, Apprenticeship Lead at Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, says apprenticeships benefit businesses enormously.
She said: "Apprentice employees are inspired by learning and very enthusiastic about their apprenticeship training and education. These factors increase productivity and skills within the workforce, which supports a long-term sustainable business plan. Employers also have a social responsibility to support more apprenticeships within their region, which boosts the local economy as well as promoting social mobility.
“By supporting apprenticeships within an organisation, retention amongst employees increases significantly. Apprentices are loyal employees, often remaining with an employer long-term. Nurturing this talent pipeline of employees is seen as a positive characteristic of any employer, often enhancing the organisation's reputation.”
The College is urging any employer considering hiring an apprentice, or unsure about the financial side, to contact its apprenticeship team for clear guidance.
Employers interested in apprenticeships can contact employers@southdevon.ac.uk or visit 100 Apprenticeships in 100 Days - South Devon College
Subscribe or register today to discover more from DonegalLive.ie
Buy the e-paper of the Donegal Democrat, Donegal People's Press, Donegal Post and Inish Times here for instant access to Donegal's premier news titles.
Keep up with the latest news from Donegal with our daily newsletter featuring the most important stories of the day delivered to your inbox every evening at 5pm.
