EUKN - European Urban Knowledge Network - The business case for apprenticeships

The business case for apprenticeships - UK

Introduction

The final report of the Apprenticeships Task Force summarises its activities and the research done on the business benefits that employers gain by employing apprentices.

Description

The report describes the benefits of apprenticeships for employers and young people. It looks at some initiatives to increase employer involvement. It also sets out a vision for apprenticeships. The report calls for action in key areas:

an increase in completion rates of apprenticeships;
the development of clear progression routes to higher-level positions in order to make apprenticeships more attractive;
design apprenticeship frameworks to take account of language skills in terms of competitiveness of individuals and their employers.

The report also looks at developments in vocational education and stresses support for apprenticeships as a major vehicle for work-based learning. The key challenges for employers are outlined.

Background information

The Task Force was established in February 2003 by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Secretary of State for Education and Skills and the Chairman of the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) to increase employer involvement in apprenticeships and to advise on the changing needs of employers and young people. Membership includes figures from the highest levels of UK industry (both employers and unions), experts from further education, training providers and higher education, and representatives of learning and skills agencies. The Task Force commissioned research from the Institute for Employment Research to reinforce the business case for apprenticeship.

Conclusions

The report concludes the following:

apprenticeships improve business performance by making contributions to competitiveness, profitability, productivity and quality;
the net costs of apprenticeship training are frequently lower than training non-apprentices and the productivity of apprentices enables employers to recover much of the costs involved;
apprentices more easily adopt company values and are more likely to remain with the employer than non-apprentices;
seeking to increase the diversity of the apprentice workforce will have significant business benefits.

The report also makes recommendations on marketing apprenticeship, a brokerage service for vacancies, models of delivery, public procurement policies, careers advice/guidance, and management information needs.

Contact info

Learning and Skills Council
Phone: +44 870 900 6800
info@lsc.gov.uk

Publication date

01/07/2005

Researcher

Apprenticeships Task Force and the Institute for Employment Research, University of Warwick

Links

Apprenticeships Task Force Learning and Skills Council

Apprenticeships Task Force: final report - the business case for apprenticeships (PDF, Eng, 653 KB)

Document type

research

Themes

Urban Policy > Economy knowledge & employment > Training

Keywords

Vocational training