Taskforce opens up new opportunities for young Londoners

The government has launched a London Apprenticeship Taskforce to rectify the alarming deficit in apprenticeship places within the region.

London’s employers currently offer fewer apprenticeship opportunities per head than almost any other part of England.

Despite being the country’s economic hub, London saw only 11 090 people begin apprenticeships in 2006/07, compared to 32 210 in the North West, a region with a similar sized population.

One particular problem currently being addressed is under-representation among ethnic minorities.

The taskforce is headed by skills minister David Lammy, and comprises employers, local government representatives, college principals and training providers.

It aims to persuade more London employers to offer apprenticeships, focussing on public sector employers and small and medium-sized private enterprises, which comprise 86% of all businesses in London – the highest proportion of any part of the country.

Lammy said: “We need to meet the demand for skills in London that really should be met by Londoners. Sectors like construction and retail, as well as our public services are crying out for high quality staff, so there is no excuse for not exploiting the apprenticeships route to meeting skills needs.”

JTL has welcomed the government’s plans for a London taskforce, but stresses that more support will be needed to get employers onboard.

The training provider says that some employers, particularly SMEs, are hoping the government will pledge their commitment to a wage subsidy scheme, easing the salary burden of new recruits.

JTL’s director of corporate services Caroline Turner said: “Though training an apprentice is free, with full funding by the Learning and Skills Council, employers are still responsible for their apprentices’ salaries and other associated costs.

“Easing the burden of these costs with the release of a wage subsidy programme will go some way to encouraging more employers to recruit apprentices, particularly in an area such as London, where the demand for skilled labour is only likely to increase with the ongoing development on projects such as the Olympics and the White City retail park.”