Apprenticeships Up In The North East

6 February 2012, 13:24 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

Engineering companies in the North East and Yorkshire are offering more apprenticeships than other areas of the country.

New research shows firms in the north of England were taking on more apprentices aged 25 and over.

The study, by Semta, the sector skills council for science, engineering and manufacturing technologies in the UK, has led to calls for all employers to consider recruiting an apprentice to tackle jobs and skills needs.

The data, released at the start of National Apprenticeship Week, found that a quarter of employers in science, engineering and manufacturing industries in the north offer apprenticeships, compared with a national average of 17%.

The research also revealed that nearly half the total of engineering apprentices aged 25 and over in England are in the north.

Semta said these figures showed that businesses in the north were investing in their current workforce, rather than simply recruiting school leavers who attract more funding, and adapting more quickly to demographic changes in the population.

The study also found that the engineering and manufacturing sectors need to recruit 82,000 scientists, engineers and technologists across the UK between 2012 and 2016.

Philip Whiteman, chief executive of Semta, said:
"Businesses need to invest in apprentice training and making sure they have the skills they need for competitive advantage.

Apprenticeships are good for business no matter where they are in the UK.''