Why the Government's pledge to support SMEs taking on apprentices is good news

If you run a small or medium-sized business with all the challenges it can bring, you may not have considered hiring an apprentice. But with 89% of employers saying apprenticeships make their business more productive and 75% saying they have lowered recruitment costs, it might be worth taking another look.

This week the government has confirmed its commitment to apprenticeships by pledging to pay all training costs for employers with less than 50 employees who take on apprentices aged 16 to 18-years-old. Research by the Federation of Small Businesses shows that almost a quarter of all small businesses have one or more apprentices and that the majority of these apprentices fall within that age bracket.

Apprentices can often have a positive effect in the workplace, bringing enthusiasm, fresh-thinking and a boost to the business. It’s a way of recruiting new talent and diversifying your workforce; they may bring the skills needed to enable you to push projects further and their talents can often complement the expertise of your more experienced staff.

With apprenticeships available in 1500 occupations across 170 industries, this could be a chance to strengthen your team and build a motivated and highly-qualified workforce.

There has never been a better time to hire an apprentice as a small business. You can find out more information at Get In Go Far and www.gov.uk/take-on-an-apprentice