Taking on apprentices can 'benefit a business'

Employing apprentices can be of "tremendous benefit" to businesses, the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) has claimed.

Director of apprenticeships at the LSC Stephen Gardner says that taking on and training junior workers can lead to increased productivity and better staff retention levels.

"Employers who are prepared to invest a modest amount of time to put in place an effective apprenticeship programme are repaid many times over," Mr Gardner commented.

According to LSC research, 76 per cent of employers claim that their apprentices are more productive than other employees.

Mr Gardner says that small business owners should not be concerned about apprentices training and leaving - as they often feel a great deal of loyalty towards employers who have taught them new skills.

"Individuals value the fact that their employer has taken the time and effort to train them," he added.

There are currently 250,000 people in the UK on apprenticeships, an increase of 175,000 in the last ten years, with prime minister Gordon Brown calling for a further rise in numbers as part of the UK's defence in the "global skills race".