This week is National Apprenticeship Week and the FSB has taken the opportunity to urge the coalition to remove some of the barriers stifling job creation, to enable more businesses to take on apprentices.
69% of all apprenticeships take place in SMEs with fewer than 50 staff members but the FSB thinks that this number could be even higher.
Firstly, the Federation would like the government to give incentives to micro-businesses to hire apprentices. 37% of those questioned by the FSB said this would encourage them to take on an apprentice.
Secondly, it would like SMEs to be exempt from the Time to Train regulations that are due to be implemented this April. Apprenticeship Training Agencies should also be promoted nationally to assist SMEs and limited companies overcome all of the bureaucracy and red tape that surrounds hiring employees. Small businesses should be allowed to access apprentices via the supply chain if they are trying to win a contract in the public sector.
Finally the FSB would like the government to ensure that Local Enterprise Partnerships work alongside Group Training Associations to provide an effective way for SMEs to train both employees and apprentices to their own requirements.
The number of people under the age of 25 who are not in employment is creeping up to a million. This figure is likely to increase during the summer when a fresh batch of school leavers hits the streets. The government has to take immediate action to help the UK’s youngsters get into work, or we risk having a ‘lost’ generation of people who never experience working life.
© 2010 All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.
Image: Business Men Marching by lumaxart
