Apprenticeships

 Last week the Government pledged to reduce the red tape deterring employers from taking on apprentices.  The Department for Business Innovation and Skills announced a number of measures that will make it easier for firms with Government contracts to train apprentices.  These measures will include a reduction of the amount of paperwork required and a simplification of the payments scheme.  The Government recognises the valuable role that apprentices can play within a business and the time and effort companies spend with trainees.

I believe that these measures will give more firms access to the skills they need to thrive, creating new jobs and new growth, and it will give many more individuals better prospects and the chance to gain a real stake in society. This has led to over five hundred new apprenticeship places being secured in Dartford over the past twelve months. For many careers on the job training is the best and often only way of gaining the correct experience to gain full time and permanent employment.  Cutting bureaucracy will support even more businesses to become involved in apprenticeships

Taking on an apprentice can be an invaluable experience for both a company and the trainee and needs to be encouraged.  Employers are primarily concerned with the day-to-day running of their businesses, and that they are committed to offering high quality training as their reputation and business success depends on this.  These new measures will therefore allow businesses to focus on running their businesses and successfully training apprentices rather that form filling and bureaucracy.