National Apprenticeship Week 2015 can officially be deemed a success, with more 23,000 new apprenticeships pledged as part of the awareness programme, which ran from 9th – 15th March.
The benefits of taking on apprentices were outlined by research from the Centre for Economics and Business (Cebr) last week, which showed that apprentices add productivity gains of over £10,000 each year and that 5 million consumers would rather do business with apprentice employers.
Business Secretary Vince Cable said:
“The success of National Apprenticeship Week 2015 and these 23,000 pledges highlights just how popular apprenticeships have become.
“More and more young people, parents, teachers and employers are recognising the value of learning on the job. With apprenticeships in everything from rail engineering to TV production they really are now a fast track into a successful career”
Large organisations from all over the country have committed to hiring apprentices this year, including BT (700 apprentices), Microsoft Partners (3,500 apprentices) and the Royal Airforce (1,000 apprentices).
Apprentice positions have also been found at small and medium sized companies (SMEs) such as Derry Building Services, Berthon Boat Company and Paw-Fect Grooming.
Now in its eighth year, National Apprenticeship Week is designed to celebrate apprenticeships and the positive impact they have on individuals, businesses and the wider economy. The overarching theme for 2015 was a challenge to us all to think about how much we really know about apprenticeships, and over 3,400 people tested their knowledge of apprenticeships on the scheme’s online quiz.
Steff joined the HRreview editorial team in November 2014. A former event coordinator and manager, Steff has spent several years working in online journalism. She is a graduate of Middlessex University with a BA in Television Production and will complete a Master's degree in Journalism from the University of Westminster in the summer of 2015.
