Small trades businesses in high growth sectors, such as plumbers and electricians, can take advantage of apprenticeship incentives in order to help them grow and young people currently out of work find new careers.
New statistics released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reveal more than 1.675million people (4.9 per cent) are currently out of work, with younger workers bearing the brunt.
ONS researchers say HMRC saw a fall in the number of employees on company payrolls during March 2021 of around 56,000.
The youngest workers are the hardest hit, with those under 25 accounting for almost 54 per cent of the decline of payrolled jobs – some 436,000 out of a total of 813,000 over the last 12 months to March 2021.
The findings have led to calls for action to shape new opportunities for young people seeking work, and the HomeServe Foundation – the registered charity of FTSE 250 company HomeServe Plc – is highlighting trades skills as a high demand opportunity for both young people and UK trades businesses.
Helen Booth HomeServe Foundation Director
Priory Estate, Headshots, Jim Poyner Photography, the york photographer, www.jimpoyner.co.uk
“The apprenticeship incentives of up to £4,000 until September 2021 are more generous than they’ve ever been,” said Helen Booth, Director of the HomeServe Foundation. “And we have to encourage and support more small businesses to use them if we want to help young people in England and Wales back into employment.
“These incentives offer a real opportunity for small businesses, especially those in high growth sectors like trades and construction. They will also open up new and meaningful career paths for young people currently seeking work, and this will be vital as we come out of this pandemic.
“Our own 2021 Trades Skills research shows demand for home repairs and improvements are soaring, providing an opportunity for small trades businesses who do the bulk of the work in the sector to benefit. These small trades firms need fresh talent and new skills. Apprenticeships are a perfect solution, particularly with the grants available to support them right now.
“They’re a win win. A trades skills apprenticeship will help young people seeking work to train in a new career and for trades SMEs who are in desperate need of highly qualified workers, it’s a real growth opportunity. And it looks like this demand isn’t going away soon if we’re to meet UK house building targets, government net zero pledges and gas boiler replacement targets.
“We’re passionate about building awareness, offering advice and support, and working with trades businesses and partners to spark more careers and inspire new opportunities as we know apprenticeships will play a key role in building the skills for the future and tackling the youth unemployment challenge.”
The HomeServe Foundation is a national registered charity helping to arm small businesses with all the information and advice they need to bring on an apprentice and help them grow. Information is available at https://homeservefoundation.com/incentive-payment-and-support/.
HomeServe also has a class-leading apprenticeship training academy based in Nottingham. For more information visit https://apprenticeshipacademy.org.