The BBC’s The Apprentice has been a yearly fixture in the Corporation’s calendar for a decade. But this year, given the rising number of apprenticeships and the debate swirling around Chancellor George Osborne’s apprenticeship levy, the series has an increased relevance.
This year’s crop of talent vying for a place under the wing of Lord Sugar are the usual bunch of vivacious go- getters. The list includes a Nigerian inventor and hair extensions specialist, as well as a former Miss Jamaica and a digital marketing director who claims to be a ‘Swiss army knife of bouncy skills, business skills and enthusiasm.”
More and more apprentice and school leaver programmes are available than ever before. As an incentive to encourage the creation of more schemes the Chancellor, in his first post election budget, proposed a new apprenticeship levy.
It is planned that the levy will be collected from large public and private businesses. A proven commitment to apprenticeship training will ensure that companies get more back from the scheme than they put in. However, recent research from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development suggests the Chancellor has much more work to do to sell his idea. The survey found that only 20% of interviewed employers thought the scheme would increase the quality of apprenticeships.
In response to the rising popularity of apprentice schemes Symposium Events will hold an Apprentices and School Leavers Conference later this year. The event will consider the best ways to attract the brightest talent, from schools and colleges, to apprenticeship programmes. The event will also offer a guide on how to set up and run apprenticeships.
Further details can be found here: http://www.symposium-events.co.uk/event/apprentices-and-school-leavers-conference-2015-2/
Robert joined the HRreview editorial team in October 2015. After graduating from the University of Salford in 2009 with a BA in Politics, Robert has spent several years working in print and online journalism in Manchester and London. In the past he has been part of editorial teams at Flux Magazine, Mondo*Arc Magazine and The Marine Professional.
