New guidance from the CIPD will help employers across the entire UK ensure that government funding for apprenticeships delivers for employers, individuals and society. The guidance, which is designed to cement high quality apprenticeships as a viable alternative route into professions and occupations and give employers greater ownership of their delivery, is being launched ahead of National Apprenticeship Week, taking place in England from 6-10 February.

To celebrate the week of the apprentice, a guide named Apprenticeships that Work has been developed by representatives from employers including Rolls Royce, Siemens, Capgemini, Marks and Spencer and West Sussex Council, as well as trade unions, the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) and the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES). It is available to download from the CIPD website at http://www.cipd.co.uk/apprenticeships

The CIPD has created this guide to support its members, HR professionals and employers more generally in developing and running a high-quality apprenticeship offer that responds to their skills needs. Around a third of employers surveyed by the CIPD currently offer apprenticeships. Of those who don’t, most believe that apprenticeships aren’t appropriate for their organisation. This new guide is designed to show employers of all sectors and sizes how they can make apprenticeships work for them.

The guide reiterated the importance of apprentices in workforce growth and skills development. There is also a range of tips on how to manage the role of an apprentice in your organisation, such as securing the support of the existing workforce, providing high-quality training on and off the job and tailoring to the employers needs. It is also stressed that employers provided fair access to apprenticeship schemes and widen the talent pool in which they recruit in terms of gender, ethnicity and diversity.

Katerina Rudiger, skills adviser at the CIPD who led the development of the guide, comments: “Good quality apprenticeships can offer an alternative, high-quality route into work and help improve youth employability. They are also a useful tool to achieve a more balanced skills profile in the UK and respond to employer skills needs."

John Hayes, Minister of State for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning, comments: "Evidence shows that apprentices help boost productivity and give businesses a competitive edge, with most recouping their investment in less than three years."

Colin Stanbridge, Chief Executive of London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) said:
“What these firms need is high quality support and guidance throughout the apprenticeship recruitment process. CIPD’s guide to taking on an apprentice provides all the information a business needs in one place."

Dean Royles, Chair of the CIPD Board, Director, NHS Employers and National Apprenticeships Ambassador, said: “Apprenticeships are an effective means for employers to develop their own talent. They also offer a viable alternative to university for people looking for a direct and affordable route to skilled jobs and careers."