At the moment fewer than 10 per cent of SMEs in the UK employ apprentices, which is less than half the rate of larger companies, which is largely due to ignorance of the scheme and its benefits, according to Mr Holt.
The measures include access to more funding, more say for employers in developing an appropriate training programme and the introduction of standards for training providers supplying services to SMEs.
According to Mr Holt, the existing apprenticeships programme is “misunderstood and inaccessible, not always helped by a plethora of organisations willing to give – sometimes conflicting – advice”
He added that a major problem is that the control of funding for apprenticeships is dominated by training providers, who are sometimes “following the money” rather than providing appropriate workers.
“Employers know about apprenticeships when a training provider knocks on their door saying ‘would you like an apprentice? (The system) places greater emphasis on the role of the provider than on the employer and apprentice.”
These providers often provide inappropriate or poor quality candidates that don’t meet small firms’ needs,” Mr Holt said.
The Government also hopes to promote knowledge of the programme to business owners via accountants and lawyers, who can provide advice on appropriate apprenticeships and providers.
And under the measures announced, the Apprenticeship Grant for Employers (AGE) scheme will be opened up to employers that have not employed an apprentice in the previous 12 months and will also be expanded to firms with up to 1,000 employees. Previously, AGE was only available to employers with up to 250 workers.
For more information, please contact Glazers, Chartered Accountants London or visit www.glazers.co.uk
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