Small businesses 'need help' to take on skilled graduates

Date: 29th September 2009

Britain's small businesses will play a key role in addressing the ongoing issue of graduate unemployment, it has been claimed.

In a release issued to coincide with the Labour Party Conference, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has called on the government to ensure that smaller employers are given the tools they need to step up their intake of talented graduates across a range of disciplines.

In particular, by increasing the national minimum wage for apprentices by £30 a week, the youth unemployment figure of 950,000 is likely to be significantly reduced, the FSB has claimed, while the introduction of a wage subsidy for workers that have had their hours cut will enable to retain staff and skill sets.

Commenting, the organisation's national chairman John Wright explained: "Small firms truly are the backbone of our economy and are ready to do their bit to help stimulate the economy, get people back into work and get the country back into recovery.

"Seven in ten of all apprenticeships already happen in small businesses and around 20 per cent would take on a graduate intern. Investing money in these areas will not only help small firms grow at a difficult time, but will ensure that the future workers and entrepreneurs are equipped with the skills they need."

At the same time, growing numbers of small businesses across the UK have urged the government to address the reasons behind the ongoing postal strike.