Apprenticeship schemes handed industry backing
With National Apprenticeship Week 2014 starting today, companies throughout the manufacturing and engineering industries have thrown their backing behind schemes by announcing plans to take apprentices on board
Monday, 03 Mar 2014 16:49 GMT
Apprentice schemes are seemingly more popular than ever with UK employers
A recent study suggest nearly two thirds of companies in the manufacturing and engineering industries plan to take on apprentices in the next five years, while 39 percent of them intend to do so in the next twelve months.
The study of 600 firms across all industries found 20 percent of small- to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) plan to take on at least one apprentice in the next twelve months, while 37 percent of larger businesses plan to do the same.
Almost a third of companies surveyed said they identified apprentices as a core part of their growth strategy.
Vince Cable, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, says he is encouraged to see such positivity about apprentice schemes.
Apprentices are now a key and valued part of the workforce for most businesses large or small—and the huge increase which this Government has overseen is one of my proudest achievements”
He comments: “As we kick off National Apprenticeship Week it’s good to see that employers are increasingly recognising the value apprentices can bring to their businesses.
“Apprentices are now a key and valued part of the workforce for most businesses large or small—and the huge increase which this Government has overseen is one of my proudest achievements.”
The study also showed that 43 percent of all employers are more likely to offer an apprenticeship than they were two years ago, listing the depth of the talent pool as the most popular reason for this.
Cable adds: “Given the grants available to help small businesses take on apprentices, it’s especially good that so many SMEs are embracing apprenticeships in the coming years and that apprentice recruitment now forms a key part of a businesses’ plans for sustainable growth.”
