
Last week I welcomed Priti Patel MP, the employment minister, to Pimlico Plumbers where we hosted a conference for the 5% Club, a campaign to encourage businesses to have five percent of their workforce made up by apprentices.
Priti and her government colleagues have done a fantastic job to support apprenticeships ? and their commitment to deliver three million apprenticeships starts in England by 2020 will go a long way to increase the opportunities for young people and address the skills challenges faced by UK employers. She spoke with passion about how apprenticeships offer young people the chance to reach their potential, achieve a successful career and keep earning. She also made the important point that apprenticeships provide the higher-level technical skills employers need to improve productivity. It was great to hear and her message has to resonate with young people and employers up and down the country and pick up the pace and perception of change.? For too long apprenticeships were seen as a second-class route into a career for those who couldn?t make it on the academic route of further and higher education. Thankfully that perception has shifted quite a bit and we have seen the upturn in young people wanting to do apprenticeships and within industries companies are recognising that the model is the best way for them to discover, nurture and develop talented workers. Don?t get me wrong, we?ve not reached the “promised land” yet. There is a big desert to cross and on that journey we need to get more employers to join our caravan.? As an aside, these businesses should include firms up in the North East where there are a group of young people who need help. Fifty apprentices lost their jobs when the steel plant in Redcar shut down. These apprentices need employers to come forward and take them on. There?s even a pot of government cash to help. It?s a no brainer, if you can, take these kids on. Read more from Charlie Mullins:- Any firm with the opportunity to employ an older worker should grasp it with both hands
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