Alan Sugar: Apprentices will help business to thrive in the North East

Department of Children, Schools and Families - 10/6/09

Sir Alan Sugar is delivering the message to around 370 employers from across the region today alongside Iain Wright and Lord Young. This is one of a series of regional seminars to explore the business benefits of employing apprentices in the economic downturn. It is being held in Gateshead today

Ministers called on businesses in the North East to continue to expand the number of Apprenticeships on offer. The number of people completing Apprenticeships in the North East has risen by over 100 per cent in the last four years and the Government wants this trend to continue.

Today employers will get an overview of all the wider changes taking place in education and training, giving them compelling evidence of how investing in apprentices can benefit their business during the downturn and beyond. At the half day interactive seminar - aimed at persuading more businesses to employ apprentices - Sir Alan and the Ministers will invite questions from employers about Apprenticeships.

Sir Alan Sugar said: “Success is all about finding the right people to make your business grow – especially in these challenging times. We want as many employers to come along as possible so they can find out how apprentices are real doers, making things happen and helping businesses grow and thrive.

“This seminar is a fantastic opportunity to pass on recruitment advice and help other employers understand the real value of apprentices.”

Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families Ed Balls, said: “Better-educated and skilled young people are vital to the future economic prosperity of this country. Apprenticeships give young people a clear path to a job and the skills they need to succeed in the workplace. It is great to see numbers of apprenticeships increasing year on year across the North East. Today’s seminar in Gateshead will provide a great forum for employers to put their questions direct to The Government and Sir Alan Sugar. Ambitious young apprentices can bring real benefits to companies and businesses and I’m delighted that so many people want to hear more.”

Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Lord Young of Norwood Green said: “Apprenticeships have been around for as long as people can remember but until quite recently they had all but died out or were only available in traditional trades.

“In the last ten years we have revived apprenticeship numbers. Today there are triple the number of apprentices than in 1997 and they span the breadth of the economy from dry-stone walling to veterinary science and even nuclear decommissioning.

“In these tough economic times, Apprenticeships can continue to play a pivotal role in the economy – helping to build a company’s resilience.”

More than 130,000 employers currently employ apprentices. There are over 180 types of Apprenticeships available in more than 80 sectors of industry and commerce.

Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Iain Wright said: “Now more than ever it is important that we give young people the real help they need to get and keep jobs. This is an important initiative and is a further signal of our determination to give people the chance to get the practical training they need to get on and to help ensure the country has the skilled workers it needs to benefit from the upturn.”

For further information about Apprenticeships please visit: www.apprenticeships.org.uk or call: 08000 150 600.