The new Government must take a fresh look at the costs and benefits of apprenticeships.
Thats one of the must do points raised by John Andrews, head of NAPIT, a 6,500-strong group of professionals involved in the electrical, ventilation, plumbing and heating industries in England and Wales.
Chief Executive Mr. Andrews said: It is time to look again at the structure of apprenticeships in the United Kingdom and we need to pay more than lip service to the way in which they are funded.
The reality is that many firms would like to take on apprentices (of any age), but especially in todays economic climate, they just cannot afford it.
Citing the long-term benefits of apprenticeships, Mr. Andrews said that they were a vital part of the investment in the UK economy and its ability to meet future challenges, especially when compared to the high costs of youth unemployment and its impact on families and communities if it lasts a long time.
Among solutions available, he said, would be to make apprenticeships fully funded (at minimum wage rates) in year one, two thirds funded in year two and one third funded in year three while another would be to allow small firms to share an apprentice and still attract financial support for their wages.
These two measures, added Mr. Andrews, would do three things:-
1. Divert unemployment pay to employment pay minimising the on-costs of youth unemployment.
2. Allow older people to undertake a career change, immediately on being made unemployed - without waiting for six months while their family life is ruined and the social costs of that delay.
3. Reduce the number of Civil Servants needed to service the huge dole queues and unemployment offices helping to meet Government-saving targets
He concluded by saying In my opinion, it is far better to pay someone to be employed than unemployed, especially when the UK will benefit from the enhanced skills base that is the result.
For further information about NAPIT please visit their website at: napit.org.uk