A Vision Network Supports Call For More Apprenticeships In Wales

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) February 21, 2012 --

Despite the current tough economic times, the Welsh government is urging employers to offer more apprenticeships. The number of apprentices in Wales has dropped over the past three years, and this move would give businesses vital skills for survival and growth in the future, said Welsh Deputy Minister for Skills Jeff Cuthbert. A source from Cardiff-based sales and marketing company A Vision Network agreed. “There are thousands of talented young people in Wales who would benefit from an apprenticeship, and it’s just as beneficial for the companies involved,” said A Vision Network, adding, “Apprenticeships give employers an opportunity to train talented young people from the ground up, and those people are much more likely to become motivated, productive members of the company.”

The Welsh government quoted research, undertaken by Populus, among employers who had trained apprentices, which said that 77% of those employers believed that it made their firms more competitive. 88% said apprenticeships resulted in better motivation among their workforces, while 57% reported that a high proportion of apprentices moved into management positions in their businesses. Labour market information also shows that people who completed apprenticeship training at level 3 were likely to earn up to £117,000 more over their working lives than those who did not undertake such training. However, figures show that the number of apprentices in Wales has dropped 15% from 42,590 in 2007/08 to 36,380 in 2009/10. “This drop is quite significant,” said A Vision Network, “We need to raise awareness of apprenticeship programs for both employers and potential apprentices.”

Mr. Cuthbert is due to launch a week of events, starting on the 13th February, designed to raise the profile of apprenticeships among employers. Speaking before the event, he said, “Apprenticeships represent an opportunity for employers … to turn unskilled young people into high performers who will be the backbone of their companies and the Welsh economy in the years ahead.” He was backed by Andrew Cooksley, a spokesperson on employability for the National Training Federation, who said, “Learning providers in Wales have thousands of talented young people on their books who would be major assets to employers.”
“This can only be a positive move for the Welsh economy,” said our A Vision Network spokesperson.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-16907826

A Vision Network     Cardiff     Marketing     sales