Member Article

Over 50% Yorkshire businesses set to take on apprentices

Over half of businesses in Yorkshire and the Humber plan to take on apprentices in the next five years.

54% of businesses will hire an apprentice according to new research released today to mark the start of National Apprenticeship Week.

This compares to 36% employers nationally, when asked the same question this time last year.

The study of 600 businesses, by the National Apprenticeship Service, also reveals that 31% of businesses in Yorkshire and the Humber plan to take on one or more apprentices in the next 12 months alone.

42% of employers say they are more likely to offer an Apprenticeship now than they were two years ago because 41% believe apprentices stay in the business longer than other recruits.

It would also appear Apprenticeships are now filtering into supply chain selection criteria.

• 31% of organisations in Yorkshire and The Humber say they have been questioned by clients or prospects about their apprentice recruitment policies.
• 23% of youngsters questioned say like would like to work for a small business and 21% for an entrepreneur or a start-up.
• Across the UK, 32% of those that plan to take on apprentices say this is because they are a core part of their growth strategy.

Ahead of a visit to BT, who recently announced that they would take on 730 more apprentices over the next year, and 30 in Yorkshire, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, Vince Cable, said: “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.

“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.”

Vince Cable (centre) Secretary of State for Business Innovation and Skills (photo courtesy of Financial Times)

Gavin Patterson, Chief Executive of BT, said: “BT’s creating more than 700 new apprenticeships in the coming year, including a new digital media technology training scheme.

“I’m delighted we can play an extremely positive role by hiring these new apprentices and advancing their skills through mentoring and training.”

The study also shows how Apprenticeships are growing in popularity nationally. In fact, 43% of employers agree they would be more likely to offer an Apprenticeship than they were two years ago.

Overall, 41% of employers agreed that apprentices stay in the business longer than other recruits.

Now in its seventh year, National Apprenticeship Week is designed to celebrate Apprenticeships and the positive impact they have on individuals, businesses and the wider economy.

As part of the Week, the National Apprenticeship Service, in conjunction with Small Firms Enterprise Development Initiative (SFEDI), has launched a new initiative to help small business owners on their Apprenticeship journey.

Apprenticemakers is an online peer to peer mentoring community providing easy access to other businesses who have already taken on apprentices

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .