Businesses are spurning the chance to take on apprentices, according to research from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).

The findings come despite a British Chambers of Commerce survey, carried out last year, which found that half of small and mid-size service sector businesses are struggling to recruit staff with the right skills.
 
While the government has pushed hard in recent months to get employers on board such schemes, said the CIPD, it appears to have failed to adequately communicate the benefits and take-up remains limited.

Victoria Winkler, learning, training and development adviser at the CIPD called on the government to be more proactive. “What is clear is that in the right circumstances employers can benefit from the introduction or expansion of apprenticeship training, but this cannot be a blanket approach.

“Government needs to work with UK businesses to identify the industries and roles where apprenticeship programmes will work best for both the individual and the employer.”

The CIPD research also suggested businesses are failing to recognise the extent to which content for the programmes can be tailored to their requirements. Winkler put this down to poor communication on the government’s part.

In another show of the public sector working with business, the government has also heavily promoted its Foundation Degree courses this year, which are designed in partnership with business owners to equip people with the right knowledge and skills for the workplace.

Launched in 2001 by the Department of Education and Skills, it remains unclear how successful the scheme has been, with no figures available on the number of businesses that have signed up to date.

Meanwhile, a more successful scheme in the West Midlands has celebrated 150 ‘shop floor’ students in the potteries gaining qualifications in ceramics to boost the region’s most high-profile industry.

Part of a £3.2m project funded by regional development agency Advantage West Midlands and delivered by the Ceramic Industry Forum and the Association for

Ceramic Training and Development, students gained NVQ, Management and Basic Skills qualifications to take into the ceramics companies that supported the programme.

© Crimson Business Ltd. 2006