Just 17% of firms training apprentices

Published on Wednesday 14 October 2009 22:19

FEWER than a fifth of small businesses have trained someone as part of the apprenticeship scheme in the last three years, a survey revealed yesterday.

A report commissioned by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) in Scotland revealed 51 per cent of bosses felt taking on an apprentice could help them meet skills shortages.

It also found, however, that the number of small firms taking part in the Modern Apprenticeships programme was relatively low – only 17 per cent of firms surveyed trained an apprentice in the last three years.

The research further found that 70 per cent of firms who had not taken on an apprentice in this time cited a lack of understanding about the process as a reason for this, while the cost of funding a Modern Apprenticeship was a concern for almost half of all businesses.

The FSB said public sector funding was mainly only available when firms were taking on apprentices under the age of 20.

The survey found age restrictions on funding were a concern for 53 per cent of firms who had taken on an apprentice in the last three years.

FSB Scottish policy convener Andy Willox called for a brokerage service to be set up to connect small businesses with would-be apprentices.

He said there needed to be "a real, co-ordinated drive to help firms looking to take on a Modern Apprentice navigate the system and find the right person for the job – regardless of background or age".