Apprenticeships the key to future business prosperity
Tuesday 7th May 2008
London employers are still lagging behind the rest of the UK when it comes to training apprentices, and yet these young people are a key to the future prosperity of many businesses.
This was the message from Skills Minister David Lammy MP to representatives of local firms brought together by South London Business.
“Our aim is that one in five young people will follow an apprenticeship but at present in London it is only one in 20. It says something worrying about the way in which we conceive training and skills,� he said.
And he added: “ In tougher economic times it is exactly the right time to invest in apprenticeships.� The experience of companies who did so was improved productivity and a lower staff turnover.
Two-thirds of the adult workforce that companies would need in 2020 were already entering work and needed to be skilled up, the minister told his audience which was drawn from more than 50 firms ranging in size from small and medium-sized businesses to giants such as BT.
The point was reinforced by Peter Pledger, Chief Executive of South London Business, who told the audience: “ Twice yearly we survey 15,000 businesses in South London and each time the issue that is top of the list is the same – skills. We need to ensure that people leaving full-time education are job-ready, not merely qualified.�
Director of the Apprenticeship Ambassadors Network, Rod Kenyon said his organisation’s role was to promote apprenticeships, to advise and help employers achieve the desired outcomes, and to feedback to government on issues or barriers that prevented employers from becoming involved.
While many people still associated apprenticeships with traditional industries such as construction and engineering, there were now 180 different apprenticeships available covering 80 business sectors. Last year 110,000 apprentices completed their courses successfully, a pass rate of 63%.
“ BAE says it has found that apprentices reduce their production time by 25% and some 85% of them complete tasks correctly. Tesco meanwhile reports that the use of apprentices reduces their turnover of staff to 15% compared with the national rate of 49%.
BT apprentice Joe Kendrick told the audience that he saw taking up an apprenticeship as “a vocational alternative to university.�
“ You are provided with practical work experience from Day One and are able to learn a great deal from those who are doing the job,� he said.
Apprenticeships are available for school leavers and those 25 years old and above. Mr Lammy said that new legislation would oblige schools and colleges to promote apprenticeships as part of careers advice, and a national ‘clearing service’ would be set up to link would-be apprentices with available courses and employers.
“The biggest challenge is for employers. When presented with the option of an apprenticeship, the young people jump at the chance,� he said.
More information for employers on establishing apprenticeships is available by visiting the Apprenticeship Ambassadors Network at: www.employersforapprentices.gov.uk
