A survey commissioned by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) has shown that manufacturing companies appreciate the role apprentices play in their businesses.
The survey, carried out to mark Apprenticeship Week (February 23-27) shows that 70% of the 500 companies interviewed said apprentices helped boost their overall productivity and that 15% of employers are hiring more apprentices, to help them through the economic downturn.
“The government has rescued apprenticeships having more than trebled the number of people from 65,000 in 1997 to nearly a quarter of a million today, investing nearly £1bn this year,” said apprenticeships minister Lord Young.
• The new National Apprenticeship Service will launch in April this year.
