apprenticeships

Apprenticeships: Why Should Small Businesses Consider Taking Them On?

Apprenticeships: Why Should Small Businesses Consider Taking Them On?

Steven Drew June 16, 2017 People

Amidst the ongoing Brexit discussions and a recent general election campaign, small business owners would be forgiven if they hadn’t noticed that a revolution of sorts has been taking place in the world of apprenticeships. Schemes enabling individuals to gain a route into the workplace through apprenticeships have been a part of the employment landscape for several decades. But during 2017, two significant changes are taking place aimed at making apprenticeships better quality and more valuable for the employee; as well as a more attractive proposition for the end employer. At the end of May, all UK businesses with paid a bill of more than £3m – having made their first payment towards the new apprenticeship levy. While these outgoings won’t affect the UK’s 5.5 million small businesses, the... »

Apprentices to be Taken on for Minimum of 12 Months

April 13, 2012 News

Business owners taking on young apprentices will be required to run schemes for a minimum of 12 months under new rules unveiled by the Government. The new standards will mean that apprenticeships for those aged 19 and over will now be required to last between one to four years while apprenticeships for 16- to 18-year-olds will need to run for a minimum of a year. The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills said that the rules were being changed to “raise the bar on standards” amongst UK apprenticeship schemes. “The majority of apprenticeships are the gold standard in vocational training,” said Skills Minister John Hayes. “They boost individuals’ life chances and build the skills that drive growth.” “But we must be relentless in our dri... »

Government Cuts Apprenticeship Red Tape

September 11, 2011 News

The Government has unveiled measures to reduce the red tape businesses face when they take on apprentices. Skills minister John Hayes said that the reforms are aiming to simplify the payment process, as well as reporting and assessment requirements for employers who receive government financial support for apprentices. The other changes announced include providing employers with a toolkit that explains the apprenticeship process from start to finish, and a more streamlined certification process. The move has been welcomed by the Confederation of British Industry, but small business groups said the changes didn’t do enough to encourage smaller firms to take on apprentices. “It’s disappointing that the recent announcement was aimed at reducing red tape for large businesses.... »

Apprenticeship Programmes Give Hope for Britain’s ‘lost generation’

July 14, 2011 News

According to yesterday’s ONS figures released, UK unemployment fell by 26,000 in the three months to May to 2.45 million. The unemployment rate was 7.7%, down from 7.8% in the previous quarter. However, the number of people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance in June rose by 24,500 to 1.52 million – the biggest such increase in two years. Recent government statistics have also revealed that the number of job seekers in Britain who have been out of work for over a year had reached a fourteen year high with students being a particular group causing concern. Termed ‘the lost generation’, British students can no longer take a university degree as a guarantee of landing jobs, as 20% of last year’s graduates still remain unemployed. With university places... »

Government Funding Boost to Apprenticeships

May 30, 2011 News

The Government must cut the red tape involved with taking on apprentices — that’s the message from business groups, after the Prime Minister announced plans to increase apprenticeships and work placements. Over the next four years, up to 250,000 more apprenticeships will be funded by the Government, along with 100,000 work placements over the next two years. Prime Minister David Cameron said that the Government would need support from businesses, adding that widespread youth unemployment was holding the country back, saying: “I’m delighted that over 100 large companies and tens of thousands of small and medium-sized enterprises have already responded to our call for work experience placements so that tens of thousands of young people can take those vital first steps in experiencing t... »

Chancellor Boosts Apprenticeship Investment

March 24, 2011 News

In his speech in Budget 2011 yesterday, the Chancellor George Osborne announced the doubling in number of planned university technical colleges (UTCs) from 12 to at least 24 which will provide technical training for the ‘lost generation’ of 16-24 year olds who are experiencing the highest unemployment since records began in 1992 as it approaches the sensitive 1 million mark. The Chancellor said he would fund an extra 40,000 apprenticeships, plus 10,000 higher level training places. Additionally there will be 100,000 places on a new work experience scheme over the next two years, up from 20,000 previously stated. Mr Osborne is making £180m available for up to 50,000 additional apprenticeship places over the next four years which would provide additional capacity to support young unemployed ... »

Apprenticeships: Making the Case for Training

March 9, 2011 People

By James Hammill, Head of Apprenticeships at Kaplan Think about the different ways you can use Apprenticeships to benefit your business – Apprenticeships aren’t just for organisations who are thinking of hiring a young person.  Many businesses use Apprenticeships to train and up-skill existing staff.  This can be a great way to increase productivity and motivate employees. Explore the funding on offer – Apprenticeship funding is available for employers who wish to train existing employees or hire people via Apprenticeship training programmes. This varies depending on the age of the apprentice.  For 16-18 year olds, 100% of training costs will be funded by the government.  Apprentices aged 19 or over will receive a proportion of the funding for their training. However, employers should be a... »

SME Apprenticeships Scheme Wins Top Award

July 23, 2010 News

A Canterbury-based florist received a top accolade for its Apprenticeship scheme at last week’s Apprenticeship Awards, organised by the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS).  The award recognises the firm’s success in using apprentices to grow its business, providing a shining example of how SMEs can benefit from Apprenticeship programmes. The company, which employs two apprentices, believes Apprenticeships are the best way of recruiting high-quality employees and credits its own Apprenticeship programme with the significant growth it continues to enjoy. The passion of the apprentices Contemporary Flowers works with is one of the main reasons the business has been able to move from tiny, ‘shed-like’ premises to a full-size shop. A sister outlet in the area is now in the offing and additio... »

Apprenticeships

Apprentice Programme hits Record Numbers

December 2, 2009 News

Recognition for employers and staff after record numbers of Apprenticeships this year. For the third year running record numbers of people in England began an Apprenticeship, it has been revealed today. Almost a quarter of people in England, 234,000 to be precise, started their multi-year training in 2009, up by more than a third since 2007. Whether it’s farming, retail, engineering or trades, these new workers have helped contribute millions of pounds to the UK economy. Employers, too, are greatly benefiting from the labour. Research shows that employers who hire apprentices can recoup their investment in as little as 18 months, depending on the industry sector. And there is an average of £1 of public funding available for every £1.16 spent on an apprentice by his or her... »

Apprenticeships - Good for Business

New Scheme Recognises Apprentice Employers

November 12, 2009 News

Employers are today being honoured with the launch of a new ’badge’ that recognises their employment of apprentices. The apprentice employers’ badge, supported by the British Chambers of Commerce, can be displayed by firms on their website and stationary to highlight their commitment to Apprenticeships. Consumers will also be able to go on to the Apprenticeships website to find businesses that support young people by hiring apprentices. The news comes as a new survey by the National Apprenticeship Service shows more than three-quarters of people in England say they are more likely to use a business or service if it offers Apprenticeships to young people (80%), while more than nine in ten say it is important to support young people by taking on apprentices during the reces... »

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