Cable announces plans to facilitate apprentice hiring
Nov 17 2011
The government is pushing for companies to take on apprentices
Business secretary Vince Cable has announced new measures to help employers gain the skilled workers they need to grow.
At a summit for business leaders in London, Cable said that the government would slash the red tape that can deter hard-pressed firms from recruiting apprentices, and provide a financial incentive to help the smallest firms recruit their first young apprentices.
Cable added, ‘Apprenticeships are proven to boost the life chances of young people, and are a sound investment in our future competitiveness. So when times are tough, it’s right that we provide additional support to help the smallest firms meet training costs.
‘We’ll cut no corners on quality. Apprenticeships will remain the gold standard for excellence in vocational training – but where red tape serves no purpose, we’ll strip it away.’
A review into the quality of apprenticeships will be undertaken next year to help ensure the highest standards.
Apprenticeship providers will also be required to offer training in English and Maths up to the standard of a good GCSE (level 2) for all apprenticeships.
Other measures to boost apprenticeships include an incentive payment of up to £1,500 for employers with up to 50 employees to take on apprentices, which is planned to support up to 20,000 new apprenticeships in 2012/13.
An initial payment will be made two months after the individual has started their apprenticeship and the balance will be paid after the apprenticeship has been completed and the trainee has progressed into sustainable employment.
Also, the government says that processes will be simplified to make it quicker and easier for employers to take on an apprentice. The National Apprenticeships Service and training providers will be required to ensure that every employer is in a position to advertise a vacancy within one month of deciding to take on an apprentice.
Furthermore, health and safety requirements will be streamlined so that there are no additional demands on employers that already meet national standards.
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