ALMR calls for Government to increase apprenticeship funding

10 February 2012 by
ALMR calls for Government to increase apprenticeship funding

Operators are calling on the Government to to introduce fully-funded apprenticeships for 19 to 24-year-olds in order to address youth unemployment and offer real opportunities for young people.

The recommendation forms part of a number of suggestions made by the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) in response to a parliamentary committee inquiry into apprenticeships.

At the moment 16 to 18-year-olds are eligible for full funding, while 19 to 24-year-olds get half of their training paid for. The ALMR is calling for full funding for all young people.

ALMR strategic affairs director Kate Nicholls said: "Our industry greatly values apprentices. Properly configured apprenticeships offer robust, transferable skills, which are beneficial to both employee and employer. However, we would urge the government to listen to employers - like our members - to ensure apprenticeships are responsive and fit for purpose to help businesses to develop their workforce."

According to the ALMR the bar and pub/restaurant sector employs more than half a million people and last year generated one in 10 of all new jobs. It said that training one person to work in a pub or bar - including teaching them the full legal and regulatory framework - amounts to an investment of £1,000 pa.

The ALMR said that for this to continue more support from the Government is required.

Other recommendations in the ALMR's written response to the Business, Innovation and Skills committee inquiry include:

  • A proper focus on developing workplace and business skills in publicly-funded apprenticeship schemes for the hospitality sector, as opposed to just focussing on participants gaining a qualification.

  • More funding for over-25s, particularly people without qualifications or those that haven't been through further education

  • Small businesses to be offered a bonus each time they take on an apprentice - not just a one-off bonus

  • The Government to examine further ways to cut red tape for small business around apprenticeships

ALMR increases membership by 20% >>

ALMR urges MPs to back final stages of Live Music Bill >>

ALMR calls for below-tax beer sales ban after Asda beer offer >>

By James Stagg

E-mail your comments to James Stagg here.

Tabletalk
Tabletalk
If you have something to say on this story or anything else join the debate at Table Talk - Caterer's new networking forum. Go to www.catererandhotelkeeper.com/tabletalk

Catererandhotelkeeper.com jobs

Looking for a new job? Find your next job here with Catererandhotelkeeper.com jobs

Blogs on Catererandhotelkeeper.com ](http://www.catererandhotelkeeper.com/blogs) Catch up with more news and gossip on all Caterer's blogs
[E-newsletters](http://www.catererandhotelkeeper.com/email-newsletters.htm)[ For the latest hospitality news, sign up for our E-newsletters
"
The Caterer Breakfast Briefing Email

Start the working day with The Caterer’s free breakfast briefing email

Sign Up and manage your preferences below

Check mark icon
Thank you

You have successfully signed up for the Caterer Breakfast Briefing Email and will hear from us soon!

Jacobs Media Group is honoured to be the recipient of the 2020 Queen's Award for Enterprise.

The highest official awards for UK businesses since being established by royal warrant in 1965. Read more.

close

Ad Blocker detected

We have noticed you are using an adblocker and – although we support freedom of choice – we would like to ask you to enable ads on our site. They are an important revenue source which supports free access of our website's content, especially during the COVID-19 crisis.

trade tracker pixel tracking