Preston MP urges local firms to take on an apprentice and get a £1,941 boost
New research revealed the benefits involved in the take-up of apprentices by businesses.
The research shows a bottom line boost of £1,941 when a local company hires an apprentice. And this happens as soon as an apprentice is taken on trained. It represents the benefit after typical wage and training costs for the North West are deducted.
Mark is calling on local businesses to recognise the benefits.
Surveys show that 60% of small businesses are missing out because they don’t know enough about how apprenticeships work. Last year, 1,120 young people and adult learners started an apprenticeship in Preston. That helped local businesses by a total of £2.2m in 2012/13.
Mark said: ‘If they don’t have one already, local businesses in Preston should consider employing an apprentice. Apprenticeship starts increased massively after the creation of the National Apprenticeship Service in 2009, but there is a danger that progress could stall unless more companies hear the message. We can do better for our young people and adult learners.
‘This is a chance for firms to give back to the community – and by giving local people a chance, they will also be boosting their bottom line.’
Jane Scott Paul, Chief Executive of AAT, who commissioned the new research said: ‘I am delighted that Mark Hendrick MP is encouraging more companies to employ an apprentice. Far from being a cost, apprentices bring benefits straight away.
‘It’s really important that employers know there are apprenticeships for all shapes and sizes, including those in non-traditional sectors like accounting and law. That’s how apprentices boosted UK firms by £1.8 billion last year.’