Yorkshire and Humber firms boosting apprenticeships to close skills gap

TWO-thirds of companies which currently run apprenticeship schemes plan to give more young people in Yorkshire and Humber an opportunity to take their first steps into the job market.

The 2014 CBI/Pearson Education and Skills Survey, which had 291 respondents, 87 of which have employees in Yorkshire and Humber, found that firms in the region have a growing need for higher skills – with 84% expecting demand to increase in the next three to five years. However, 62% of companies said they were not confident they will be able to access enough highly skilled workers to meet their needs.

69% of firms in Yorkshire and Humber which already run apprenticeships plan to increase them in the years ahead. But too many are still reluctant to get involved. The survey identified reforms which would make firms more likely to take on apprentices. These include: creating programmes that are more relevant to business needs (42%); cutting red tape (35%) and routing Government grants directly to employers (37%).

Giles Fletcher, CBI Yorkshire and Humber regional director, said: “It’s increasingly clear that Yorkshire and Humber faces a shortage in skilled technicians in the years ahead, if we fail to create more chances for young people leaving education and for existing workers.

“Apprenticeships can help benefit the local economy but also tackle the scourge of youth unemployment.

“Yorkshire and Humber has been a driving force in the UK’s economic recovery and if we are to build on this, we need a highly skilled workforce to meet growing demand from local firms.

“But we need even more companies to get involved and the Government can help by cutting more red tape, ensuring the apprenticeship system is truly based on the needs of firms and giving business real purchasing power by putting funding directly in the hands of employers on the ground.”

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