Develop Training Limited (DTL) says too few businesses are making a commitment to apprenticeships despite government initiatives to promote them.
In the run up to National Apprenticeship Week 2019, which runs from March 4th-9th, the government launched a promotional campaign – Blaze A Trail – to convince more individuals, families and employers to embrace apprenticeships.
Previous initiatives have included Trailblazer Apprenticeships in England and the controversial Apprenticeship Levy.
Yet, DTL points out that government statistics for the 2017/18 academic year showed a drop of almost a quarter in the number of apprenticeship starts.
John Kerr, DTL’s Director of Training & Education, said: “It’s clear that businesses in the construction and utility sectors have not committed to apprenticeships as enthusiastically as the Government would have hoped.
“The difference with some industries is that we face an enormous skills gap in construction and utilities, so it’s crucial that the sector responds, including embracing apprenticeships.
“The levy was intended to nudge them in the right direction but so far, if anything, it has had the opposite effect.”
He continued: “Businesses have now had nearly two years to decide how to respond to the levy, and in April the funds that big firms have paid in will begin to be taken by the Treasury. That should refocus attention on the question of apprenticeships.
“If we delay making a commitment to apprenticeships, for whatever reason, that would be a serious mistake.”
John Kerr concluded: “I hope that National Apprenticeship Week and the campaigns around it will help to generate momentum so that more businesses invest in what are highly cost effective ways to deliver a loyal and skilled workforce.
“As approved providers under the levy, we are 100% committed to doing all we can to ensure that this happens and to help our customers maximise their return on investment in people.”
For more information, visit: www.developtraining.co.uk.
