Some of the UK’s top businesses who employ thousands of apprentices and have pledged to take on more were at a special reception in Downing Street hosted by the Prime Minister and Business Secretary Sajid Javid.
The Prime Minister announced that a new Apprenticeship Delivery Board will be established, bringing together some of the country’s leading business.
With members from top employers including Wates Construction, the board will encourage more businesses to develop quality apprenticeships. Members will act as apprenticeship champions within their sector, working with employers of all sizes to increase both the number of apprenticeship places on offer and the supply of talented candidates.
The Board will harness their experience and industry reputation to encourage others to follow their lead while also working to identify challenges that may be stopping employers getting involved with apprenticeships.
Business Secretary Sajid Javid said: "Three million more apprenticeships by 2020 means even more life changing opportunities for our young people. More than that, apprenticeships make sense for business. That’s why some of the country’s top business leaders are coming together to bang the drum for apprenticeships.
"We are putting employers at the heart of quality apprenticeships so that young people get the skills they need to succeed. Today we are celebrating everything that apprenticeships have to offer businesses and young people.
Chaired by the Prime Minister’s apprenticeship advisor Nadhim Zahawi MP and businessman and apprenticeship champion David Meller, the Apprenticeship Delivery Board will include:
- David Abraham, Chief Executive of Channel 4
- Mike Thompson, Head of Apprenticeships at Barclays
- Alderman Andrew Parmley, City of London
- Rami Ranger CBE, Chairman of Sun Mark Ltd
- Melanie Hayes, Resourcing & Development Director at Compass Group
- Simon Blagden MBE, Non-Executive Chairman at Fujitsu
- James Wates CBE, Chairman, Wates Construction.
Chair of the Apprenticeship Delivery Board, Nadhim Zahawi said: "As ever more great British businesses get involved, and with the inclusion of higher and degree level apprenticeships, we can raise the status of apprenticeships while delivering 3 million starts by 2020; a target which provides us with an unmissable opportunity to change lives, boost skills and increase productivity in the UK economy."
Latest figures show that more people than ever before are participating in apprenticeships, with further employer commitments set to follow as the government continues to deliver its promise of 3 million apprenticeship starts by 2020.