APPRENTICES KEY TO LONG-TERM RECOVERY

At the start of National Apprenticeship Week (February 1 – 5) new figures from Semta, the Sector Skills Council for Science, Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies, reveal that the number of 16-24 year-olds embarking on engineering apprenticeships have increased by more than 10 per cent in the last twelve months, despite the recent economic downturn. As the latest official statistics suggest that the UK is finally emerging from recession, these young people will be vital to recovery in the long-term, according to Bill Twigg, Development Director at Semta. “Last week the Office of National Statistics published a quarterly report showing that the UK economy grew by 0.1 per cent in the last quarter of 2009, the first such rise in around 18 months. The rise in growth was weaker than many had predicted and many experts believe that a sustained recovery will need to be export led. “In order to achieve this, UK manufacturing and engineering firms will need to be able to compete against overseas competition. They can only do this with the help of a highly skilled workforce. Semta can support employers to develop skills through our end to end service and encourage employers to improve the supply of skills.” The apprenticeship service developed by Semta has been designed to meet the skills needs of employers whilst making it easier than ever to take on an apprentice. Apprentices have the chance to work towards recognised NVQ Level 2 and 3 qualifications whilst earning a wage and performing an important role within a business. In the 2008/2009 academic year, 15,300 young people were taken on as engineering apprentices – up from 13,900 the previous year – and the Semta apprenticeship service has contributed significantly to the increase. Added Bill Twigg: “It is heartening to see so many young people realising that engineering offers an exciting and rewarding career and we expect the trend to continue. We are also delighted that an increasing number of UK companies recognise that equipping young people with appropriate skills through our apprenticeship programme will help them compete in a global marketplace.” One of the many companies to benefit from an apprenticeship programme is Metsec, a leading manufacturer of cold-rolled metal products for the building industry. Said Steve Giles, Training Manager at the Oldbury-based firm: “We’ve three apprentices in maintenance and they are a key part of the team. Young people soak up information and learn and retain a variety of things, quickly becoming competent at doing the job. “Even more importantly, they have saved us more than £60,000 thanks to continuous improvement projects they have completed in the workplace as part of their apprenticeship training.” - E N D S -

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