Apprenticeships will give businesses the kind of motivated 'doers' they need to succeed in the current economic climate, according to top entrepreneur Sir Alan Sugar
26 February 2009
Sir Alan is delivering the message to around 500 employers in London, alongside Cabinet Ministers, Ed Balls and John Denham, at the first of a series of nationwide seminars to explore the business benefits of employing apprentices in the economic downturn.
The seminar will take place at London's ExCel Centre on Thursday as part of the Learning and Skills Council's Apprenticeship Week, which runs from February 23 to 27.
Ministers also called on London businesses to continue to expand the number of apprenticeship on offer in London. Historically the number of London apprenticeships has been low, but since the Government set up the London Taskforce, the number of apprenticeships offered by employers has expanded.
The number of young people and adults starting an apprenticeship in London increased by 30% per cent from 11,100 in 2006/07 to 14,500 in 2007/08.
Employers will get an overview of all the wider changes taking place in education and training, giving them compelling evidence of how investing in apprentices can benefit their business during the downturn and beyond. At the half day interactive seminar - aimed at persuading more businesses in the Capital to employ apprentices - Sir Alan and the Secretaries of State will invite questions from employers about Apprenticeships.
Sir Alan said:
"Success is all about finding the right people to make your business grow - especially in these challenging times. We want as many of the Capital's employers as possible to come along and hear how apprentices are real doers, making things happen and helping businesses grow and thrive.
"This seminar is a fantastic opportunity to pass on recruitment advice and help other employers understand the real value of apprentices."
Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families Ed Balls said:
"Better-educated and skilled young people are vital to the future economic prosperity of this country. Apprenticeships give young people a clear path to a job and the skills they need to succeed in the workplace. This seminar will provide a great forum for employers to ask the direct they want of Government and Sir Alan. Ambitious young apprentices can bring real benefits to companies and businesses and I'm delighted that so many people want to hear more."
Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills John Denham said:
"Apprenticeships have been around for as long as people can remember but until quite recently hey had all but died out or were only available in traditional trades.
"In the last ten years we have revived apprenticeship numbers. Today there are triple the number of apprentices than in 1997 and they span the breadth of the economy from dry-stone walling to veterinary science and even nuclear decommissioning.
"In these tough economic times, Apprenticeships can continue to play a pivotal role in the economy - helping to build a company's resilience."
Apprenticeship Week activities will take place around the country and involve celebrities, politicians and apprentices. The week is an opportunity to promote the benefits that apprentices bring to businesses and the economy.
More than 130,000 employers currently employ apprentices. There are over 180 types of Apprenticeships available in more than 80 sectors of industry and commerce.
For further information on the Learning and Skills Council's Apprenticeship Week please visit http://www.apprenticeships.org.uk or call 08000 150 600 .
Notes to Editors
- National Apprenticeship Service: A new dedicated National Apprenticeship Service will launch in April 2009, designed to ensure that Apprenticeships become a mainstream option for 16-18 year olds, with around one in five of all young people doing an Apprenticeship within the next decade. The service also ensures that action is taken to boost the supply of Apprenticeship opportunities.
- Learning and Skills Council: The LSC exists to make England better skilled and more competitive. We are responsible for ensuring the availability of high-quality education and training for everyone. We have a single goal: to improve the skills of England's young people and adults to world class standards. Our vision is that young people and adults in England have knowledge and skills matching the best in the world and are part of a truly competitive workforce. We work nationally, regionally and locally to deliver this ambition on behalf of learners and employers.
- Apprenticeships Campaign: The new Apprenticeships campaign has kicked off with the launch of this year's Apprenticeship Awards, closely followed by the launch of a new Apprenticeships advert and seminar series with Alan Sugar and a concentration of activity around Apprenticeship Week (23 - 27th February). The campaign highlights the benefits of Apprenticeships and, as more companies realise their potential, Train to Gain skills brokers can advise businesses on funding available.
