Almost half of all firms are planning to recruit Apprentices ...

Almost half (44%) of businesses in the country plan to take on apprentices in the next five years, according to a report last week by the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills and Skills Funding Agency.  This compares to just over 3 in 10 (36%) employers when asked the same question last year.

The study of 600 businesses also reveals that a fifth (20%) of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises plan to take on one or more apprentices in the next 12 months alone, with more than a third (37%) of larger businesses planning to do the same, compared to 15% and 28% respectively in February 2013.  Around a third (32%) of those that plan to take on apprentices say this is because they are a core part of their growth strategy.

                                                 [ source: SSAT Policy and Curriculum Radar ]