Recent research carried out by apprenticeship provider JTL has revealed some of the key reasons why small businesses tend to avoid recruiting apprentices into the workforce. In response to the findings, JTL has launched a campaign to help dispel many of the myths regarding apprenticeships and highlight the advice and guidance available to prospective employers.

Chief Executive Jon Graham comments: “The recent changes to funding for apprenticeships has inevitably had more effect on smaller companies where the resources for understanding the changes and administration are less than for a major business with dedicated departments to look after these matters. We were convinced – and are even more so now – that small companies will resist the opportunity to employ apprentices if it is perceived as just another costly issue to worry about.

“There are a number of perceptions out there that are simply wrong or based on a lack of understanding of important facts in relation to recruiting apprentices and the apprenticeship scheme as a whole. We have to address these – in particular with regard to the funding issues. It’s interesting that those who are already employing apprentices are far more likely to recruit again. They clearly do not see recruiting an apprentice to be as complex as those who have never done it. We need to get existing employers who recognise the benefits and clearly value apprenticeships to communicate those positives to fellow employers who are falling prey to the perceptions that so many have indicated to us through this research.

“Those of us working in the training sector need to do better in communicating the value of apprenticeships and the vital role they have to play, particularly at this uncertain time. We know they provide high quality, motivated young people who could potentially take the place of those leaving the workplace, especially those we have previously relied upon from Europe, who are currently departing the sector with sizeable skills gaps to fill. But we are clearly not getting that message across clearly or forcefully enough.”

The ‘Trade Up’ campaign has developed a range of support for small companies, to help build confidence in the apprenticeship scheme and the young people they could employ. JTL has also put together a ‘Talking Heads’ video, available on its website, where those that currently employ apprentices make clear the benefits and argue the case against the apparent myths that are blocking future recruitment.

Jon Graham continues: “Many trades have an ageing workforce and are seeing some of those currently working in the UK returning home or looking to work elsewhere in Europe as a result of their concerns about Brexit. Whatever happens around Brexit, there will be a huge need for qualified tradespeople to undertake the vast amount of work required in the UK. There is frankly a ‘head in the sand’ approach to the skills shortages we have, which will get worse if we can’t attract more talent from our pool of young people to these professions.

“There are no apprenticeships without employers – that’s a fact, so we need to communicate more effectively that there are skills gaps looming that will hold this country back. We need to ensure that the trades can survive and thrive in the UK.

“The Government funding rules can appear complex as they are dependent on a number of variables including employer size and apprentice age. However that is just one of the important areas that JTL can help employers understand and ensure that they can access their full entitlement to Government funding.

“We want employers to understand the facts about the apprenticeship scheme.  At JTL, we are doing our bit to explode these myths and replace misunderstanding with facts, to encourage small employers across the UK to support the apprenticeship scheme and help them recruit and train the next generation of skilled tradespeople.”

To find out more about recruiting an apprentice head for www.jtltraining.com/ and follow the links to the ‘Trade Up’ campaign.