Apprentices: UK needs to win ‘international battle’
1 min read
UK manufacturers took on a record number of apprentices last year but schemes remain largely the reserve of large corporates, the launch of Semta's Apprenticeship Week heard.
Apprenticeship starters were up 24% to 47,000 last year, Semta's chief executive Philip Whiteman told an official opening event, which included an address from business secretary Vince Cable.
However, questions from the floor were dominated by frustrations from SMEs. "SMEs aren't given the same support," one attendee complained to Cable in his post speech Q&A. "We're trying to correct that," Cable responded. "Several of the apprenticeship programmes we're launching are specifically targeted at SMEs."
SMEs cited bureaucracy around apprenticeships as a deterrent to taking youngsters on. Small businesses lacked the HR and admin support enjoyed by larger firms, the Semta event heard.
Assurances from industry officials that efforts were being redoubled to make schemes more accessible to SMEs were challenged by some delegates.
"Out on the ground it isn't happening... it's not obvious who we should contact or how," one attendee said.
The comments came as industry leaders from BAE and Compass Group lauded the benefits of apprenticeships. Nigel Whitehead, group MD of programmes and support at BAE Systems, which has announced plans to take on over 200 apprentices in 2012, said: "There's an international battle going on. It can be won, but skills will be at the heart of making that happen and employers owning the skills agenda will be key."
Martin Hottass, UK skills partner at Siemens, added: "We are working alongside Semta in the development of the new higher level apprenticeship frameworks, which offer young people a viable and affordable alternative to university."
Cable also pledged his full support for boosting apprenticeship numbers. The growing uptake in industry last year was a reflection of continued government backing for the schemes, he claimed.
Industry had "come a long way" reflected Semta's Whiteman. "But there is still more to be done," he added. "Our focus is now on higher level technical skills which are in short supply due to an ageing workforce and changing technologies."
