Businesses to receive apprenticeship boost

A wage subsidy programme for small businesses that take on apprentices is to be piloted under new measures published by the Government this week.

The proposed remuneration scheme is designed to encourage small enterprises to offer high quality apprenticeship places and is just one of many proposals outlined in the Government’s Apprenticeship Review.

In a bid to broaden the range of apprenticeships available, employers will also be able to award their own accredited qualifications to successful apprentices.

In delivering the outcome of the Review John Denham, Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, emphasised that apprenticeships will now be established as key route in the drive to boost the skills of British workers.

Meanwhile, the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has cautiously welcomed the provisions outlined in the Review, but warns that more needs to be done to combat Britain’s flagging skills base.

‘Whilst we welcome proposals to expand apprenticeships and to provide support to those businesses who take young people on, the schemes will only succeed if they are rigorous, of a high standard and work for both young apprentice and the employer,’ said BCC director general, David Frost.

‘Apprenticeship expansion does not go far enough however. It is an imperative that the Government ensures those currently out of work receive the skills that they need, and that the benefit system is reformed to incentivise people into work.’