Leading training provider JTL has encouraged employers to harness the new government funding initiative and hire new apprentices now.
During the delivery of the summer statement, the chancellor provided further detail on the government’s Plan for Jobs to tackle unemployment post COVID-19.
His statement included a number of new initiatives offering funding incentives and schemes aimed at helping young people. JTL said it believes that the funding now accessible to employers will have a hugely positive impact on businesses being able to make the most of the resources and skilled labour available to them, and in turn further support the country’s economic recovery.
Data from the Department of Education showed employer vacancies for apprentices in April and May 2020 were 2,020 and 1,850, compared to 10,400 and 12,580 in the same months of 2019, respectively.
Caroline Turner, director of policy and external relations at JTL, said: “Data reveals that there has been a significant 85% drop in apprenticeship vacancies. Although this is an exceptionally dismal statistic, it is reassuring that the government is now willing to support apprenticeships and invest sizably to encourage employers to take on more apprentices. We believe the new government initiatives are an important landmark for both traineeships and apprenticeships and will play an important role in the UK’s recovery effort.
“This is the optimum time for employers to harness the new funding and take on apprentices to further support their individual business, as well as helping the wider COVID-19 economic recovery plan. As part of JTL’s support offering and to ensure the pipeline of skilled tradespeople continues, we are on-hand to speak to employers who are keen to invest in the training and development of an apprentice, and to help employers make the most of the government financial assistance available to them.”