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Government funding aims to boost apprenticeships in small firms

Last week the Government announced plans to increase apprenticeships and work placements across the country. Up to 250,000 more apprenticeships will be funded by the Government over the next 10 years, with 100,000 work placements to be created across the next two years.

“I’m delighted that over 100 large companies and tens of thousands of small and medium-sized enterprises have already responded to our call for work experience placements so that tens of thousands of young people can take those vital first steps in experiencing the world of work,” said the Prime Minister.

The funding will include a £10 million Innovation Fund to give businesses a chance to help and employ young people.

Yet the Federation of Small Businesses is concerned that many smaller businesses will avoid taking on apprentices due to their fear of employment regulation.

“We need to make it as easy as possible for small businesses to take on apprentices, interns and staff more generally, and make micro businesses aware of what fiscal incentives are on offer for taking on an apprentice,” the chairman of the Federation said.

Head of communications at the Chartered Management Institute, Mike Petrook, said currently small that firms offered work placements to students and apprentices more than big businesses. “It’s a great way of getting a much wider range of experience and being able to try more tasks,” he said.

“For small companies it’s a great way of finding talent very quickly and giving them a break,” added Petrook. “Quality employers are saying that not just traditional forms of education are valued, and work placements teach young people valuable skills that they’ll need.”

If you're interested in applying for Government Funding to support the development of work placements or apprenticeships in your organisation, take a look at the Words Worth Reading Ltd funding application services.