BLACK, minority and ethnic (BME) employers throughout the Ellesmere Port and Chester area are being invited to a special event to encourage them to consider taking on Apprentices.

While more than 240,000 people started an Apprenticeship nationally last year, just 7% were from BME groups.

And now West Cheshire College, working in partnership with the Northwest Provider Network and Chester Asian Council, are planning a special event designed to show how communities can get involved in the scheme.

The BME Apprenticeship awareness event takes place at Chester Guildhall from 5.30pm to 7.30pm on Thursday, March 18 where employers will be on hand to discuss the benefits of taking on Apprentices. Current Apprentices will also talk about their experiences.

Keynote speaker for the event will be the Council for Ethnic Minority Voluntary Organisations’ regional director Rushi Munshi, who will be joined by role models from REACH, an organisation set up to promote education among young black men and boys.

Representatives from the National Apprenticeship Service and the Northwest Provider Network will also be on hand to discuss the Apprenticeship programme more fully.

To find out more about the event please call 01244 670459.