15/10/2009 - Scottish firms snub apprentices
New figures have revealed that less than a fifth of small businesses in Scotland have taken on apprentices in the last three years.
A report commissioned by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) in Scotland also revealed that only 17% of small firms had taken part in the Modern Apprenticeships programme. The news comes despite more than half of bosses believing taking on an apprentice could help meet skills shortages.
Research also showed that 70% of the firms who had not taken on an apprentice said it was because they knew little about the process, while half cited cost as a deciding factor. The FSB said that usually public sector funding was only available for firms taking on apprentices under the age of 20. This had an impact on more than half of firms who had taken on an apprentice in the last three years, with 53% saying age restrictions on funding were a concern.
Andy Willox, FSB Scottish policy convener, called for a brokerage service to be set up to connect small businesses with would-be apprentices. He said more needed to be done to help firms find the right apprentice for the job - regardless of background or age.
Copyright © Press Association 2009
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