Apprenticeships
The CBI supports the government’s ambition to expand employer-led apprenticeship programmes
Overview
Apprenticeships provide practical, business focused training that delivers benefits to employers and apprentices - by improving business productivity and giving apprentices the skills they need to achieve well paid and satisfying careers.
Ministers have said they want to work with employers to deliver an additional 100,000 apprenticeships by 2014, supported by public funding of £1.4bn next year. There are already many examples of employers investing heavily in apprenticeship programmes and achieving high quality outcomes. However if we are to realise the goal of a successfully expanded apprenticeship programme there is a need to support more employers to become involved.
We have worked closely with government to cut levels of bureaucracy for large employers. A recent report launched by Skills Minister John Hayes set out recommendations to reduce data collection, simplify funding and move towards more risk based audit and inspection.
The next priority must be to extend simplification to providers and the SMEs they work with. There is huge potential to expand apprenticeship provision amongst smaller firms - and a greater focus on SME collaboration or larger firms supporting firms in their supply chain - will help more SMEs access apprenticeship opportunities.
News and publications
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Business leaders support deputy prime minister's drive to get young people into employment
Simplifying end‑to‑end apprenticeship processes for employers
Recommendations to reduce data collection, simplify funding and move towards more risk based audit and inspection