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Jeweller’s apprenticeship review prompts improved SME support

The Government has responded to a report submitted by jeweller and social entrepreneur Jason Holt, that looked into ways of encouraging SMEs to take on more apprentices, after it was commissioned in February.

Plans have been announced to increase awareness among small and medium sized businesses of the advantages of taking on interns, after the Education and Business Secretaries called for the report from Mr Holt.

Jason Holt is the Chief Executive of Holts Group jewellery companies, and was invited by the Government to create his report after it committed to asking a leading SME employer to investigate measures that should be taken to give firms greater control in the apprenticeship system.

After speaking to SMEs, Holt concluded that support needs to become more accessible for businesses to improve and increase apprenticeship schemes, with better resources needed for recruitment and training.

Mr Holt said: “Whilst apprenticeships offer undoubted growth opportunities for businesses, not enough SMEs are taking advantage.

“This is because they have an outdated view of apprenticeships, are often in the dark, and frequently do not receive the specific training provision their apprentices need.”

Measures will be brought in to aid organisations to make access to help more visible, including Government plans to work with lawyers and accountants that advise SMEs, provision of information on apprenticeships will be improved, and communication with businesses will also be enhanced.

Training providers will have new standards agreed, and the Apprenticeship Grant for Employers will be simplified, as well as companies being given more control over the development of skills.

Skills Minister John Hayes welcomed the findings and commented: ““Jason’s experiences as an entrepreneur and training provider have enabled him to get to the root of what is getting in the way of small businesses accessing the benefits that apprentices can offer.

“Jason’s work will really help us to help SMEs improve productivity and build a better-skilled and dedicated workforce.”

Education Secretary Michael Gove said: “[Jason] is certainly right that we need to give employers, and not training providers, the power and freedom to shape their apprenticeships, and make the process as simple as possible for every employer.”

Vince Cable, Business Secretary commented: “Only a small minority of SMEs currently employ apprentices. Many of the rest are missing out on an effective way of growing and up-skilling their businesses.

“We hope that the measures announced today will make a difference by raising awareness of the benefits of apprenticeships amongst SMEs and making it as easy as possible for these businesses to take on an apprentice”.

Mr Holt’s review is a follow up to the Education and Skills Growth Review carried out by the Government in November 2011.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Miranda Dobson .