Businesses back Modern Apprenticeships

A new survey has shown employers are continuing to invest in Modern Apprenticeships praising the benefits they bring to business.

We surveyed more than 2,500 Modern Apprentice employers to capture employers' use and views of Modern Apprenticeships and the benefits they bring to businesses.

Of those surveyed 89 per cent plan to keep offering Modern Apprenticeships; 88 per cent said Modern Apprentices are important to their business and 89 per cent said that they would recommend Modern Apprenticeships to their industry.

Nine out of ten Modern Apprentice employers surveyed plan to keep providing apprenticeships.

Three-quarters of employers also reported improved productivity, 72 per cent reported improved staff morale, and 71 per cent reported improved product or service quality as a result of offering Modern Apprenticeships.

According to the survey, Modern Apprenticeships also better equip individuals to do their jobs with 96 per cent of employers reporting that those who completed their apprenticeships are better able to do their jobs.

Training provision was also praised with 84 per cent of employers saying they are satisfied with the relevance and quality of training.

Skills Development Scotland Depute Director for National Training Programmes, Katie Hutton, said: "The survey results are very encouraging and demonstrate the importance employers place in Modern Apprenticeships to develop the skills of their workforce.

"Employers continue to invest in Modern Apprentices, despite the economic challenges of recent years, and continue to see the benefits they bring to their business."

The Modern Apprenticeship Employer Survey 2015 follows on from a similar survey carried out in 2012.  More than 2,500 Modern Apprentice employers were surveyed.

Find out more about Modern Apprenticeships at website apprenticeships.scot or read our Modern Apprentice Employer survey.