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Call for future investment during Apprenticeship Week

The head of the National Skills Academy Process Industries is calling for more employers to invest in students in recognition of Apprentice Week.

The week-long event starts today and aims to celebrate the role apprenticeships play in the business world.

Following the recent government call, asking for one in five young people to get on an apprenticeship within the next 10 years and 90,000 more within the next five, the skills academy hopes to help highlight the importance of apprentices during the economic downturn.

Skills academy chief executive Phil Jones said: "In the current economic circumstances, it is more important than ever to ensure that employees have the skills they need to help deliver success which is why businesses should continue to train. Training will help them through the current storm whilst also readying them for when the storm passes.

"We would like employers and students alike to take part throughout Apprenticeship Week, where events and awareness-raising activities are going to roll-out across the country.

"Hopefully these events will encourage thousands more young people to consider the good careers available in the chemicals, polymer and pharmaceutical industries, as well as helping employers realise the benefits of sponsoring an apprentice.

"The extra support and funding from the Government will help employers to tap into a pool of talent and result in a workforce with the specific skills they need. We are encouraging employers to contact us to make sure they take advantage of the new support.

"With an estimated 24,000 apprentices required over the next decade, long term skills development through apprenticeships, designed to suit the needs of the process industries, is vital to ensure their sustainable future.

Phil Jones added: "Apprentices are the lifeblood of the process industries and if we don't act now, we could suffer a skills shortfall later down the line. Maintaining the right skills balance is essential if the UK's process industries employers are to compete at home and overseas.

"With the help of these events, hopefully we can increase the awareness of available apprenticeships and ultimately help dramatically enrich the future of the industry.

"Historically you complete your apprenticeship and that's it. We want people to see long-term learning potential in this industry."

External links

Apprenticeships website

National Skills Academy Process Industries

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