The Government has launched measures to ‘ensure more young people benefit from an apprenticeship’, and to help employers gain the skilled workers they need to grow.

As part of the Government's plan for growth the Government has pledged to taking action to make it easier for companies to take on apprentices, and ensure that the quality of apprenticeships is continually improved.

Following the Office of National Statistics finding 1.02 million people aged between 16 and 24 were unemployed, business secretary Vince Cable (pictured) yesterday said the Government would slash the red tape that can deter hard-pressed firms from recruiting apprentices, and provide a financial incentive of up to £1,500 to help the smallest firms recruit their first young apprentices.

Cable said: "Apprenticeships are proven to boost the life chances of young people, and are a sound investment in our future competitiveness. So when times are tough, it's right that we provide additional support to help the smallest firms meet training costs.

"Apprenticeships are proven to boost the life chances of young people, and are a sound investment in our future competitiveness. So when times are tough, it's right that we provide additional support to help the smallest firms meet training costs.

"We'll cut no corners on quality. Apprenticeships will remain the gold standard for excellence in vocational training - but where red tape serves no purpose, we'll strip it away."

A review into the quality of apprenticeships will be undertaken by a leading employer, reporting in spring 2012, to help ensure the highest standards in apprenticeships. Apprenticeship providers will also be required to offer training in English and Maths up to the standard of a good GCSE (level 2) for all apprenticeships.

The new measures on apprenticeships include:

• Encouraging small firms that don't currently hire apprentices to take on a young apprentice aged 16 to 24, the Government will offer employers with up to 50 employees an incentive payment of up to £1,500. This will support up to 20,000 new apprenticeships in 2012/13. An initial payment will be made two months after the individual has started their apprenticeship; the balance will be paid after the apprenticeship has been completed and the trainee has progressed into sustainable employment.
• Simplifying processes to make it quicker and easier for employers to take on an apprentice. The National Apprenticeships Service and training providers will be required to ensure that every employer is in a position to advertise a vacancy within one month of deciding to take on an apprentice. Health and safety requirements will be streamlined so that there are no additional demands on employers that already meet national standards.
• A renewed focus on targeting the programme where apprenticeships deliver greatest value - including on younger adults, new employees, higher level qualifications and particular sectors where they can make the greatest impact.
• Requiring apprenticeship providers to offer training in English and maths up to the standard of a good GCSE (level 2) for all apprenticeships.

Steve Bratt, CEO of the Electrical Contractors' Association (ECA), said: "It's good to see the status of vocational training being raised. For too long now apprenticeships have been seen as second class to degrees. If, as Vince Cable has pledged today, we are to make the UK's apprenticeship programme truly world-class, then it is important that apprenticeships are given the public recognition that they deserve.

"While this and measures to create additional apprenticeship places are to be applauded, I would urge Government to think carefully when determining the criteria for an apprenticeship, as well as Government funding. We must ensure that these apply to industry-recognised qualifications that are meaningful and provide benefit to employers. There are a number of short courses, which fail to adequately train, and ultimately leave people under-qualified and out of pocket. These are not true apprenticeships as they do not provide the vital work experience required by employers.

"Our country is at a cross roads and if we don't act now to shore up the skills deficit in our craft industries by investing in skilled apprenticeships, we will have little chance of successfully emerging out of the recession."