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Small firms look for training support
Aug 6 2008 by Tony McDonough, Liverpool Daily Post
THE Merseyside branch of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) is calling for greater awareness and access to financial support for smaller firms taking on apprentices.
Responding to a consultation on National Minimum Wage (NMW) exemptions for apprentices, the FSB yesterday told the Low Pay Commission that trainees should be paid the same as 16-18 year olds in ordinary employment but called for better support to ensure training completion rates are vastly improved.
A recent FSB survey revealed that only 5% of respondents were aware that compensation was available for giving apprentices time off to train, and 78% of members said they would employ apprentices if there was financial support on offer from the government while 82% backed raising the wage of an apprentice from its current level.
Norman Lay, FSB Merseyside, West Cheshire & Wigan Regional Chairman, said: “The FSB believes in apprenticeships and their value to the economy which is why exemptions from the NMW are not critical to small businesses.
“The NMW levels for apprenticeships must be the same as a 16-18 year old in ordinary employment; an increase in completion levels is the greatest concern.”
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