Managing director of the Print Division at Close Brothers Asset Finance, Basil Bannayi
Just 41% of SMEs in the UK print sector offer apprenticeships, according to research from the Close Brothers Business Barometer, a quarterly survey of SME owners and senior managers.
The Business Barometer also reveals that 57% of print firms that do take on apprentices say it gives them access to the best young talent, while 29% say that apprentices improve business productivity. A further 14% state that it allows them to develop skill sets the business may be lacking.
Managing director of the Print Division at Close Brothers Asset Finance, Basil Bannayi said, ‘It would seem that print businesses that participate in apprenticeship schemes see clear benefits in doing so, and I would encourage more firms to consider it as a way to grow their workforce and bridge any skills gap they may have.
‘It’s particularly relevant for print firms to think about the skills they need to keep up with a rapidly changing industry. While technological developments are a very positive thing, there is inevitably a correlation between evolving technology and the need for a workforce that is qualified to keep up with the latest changes.’
A 2014 report from think tank Demos estimates that Britain’s GDP would improve by £4 bn a year if apprentice numbers were increased to similar levels to that of Australia and Germany.
‘That figure from Demos demonstrates the value apprenticeships could bring to our economy. At Close Brothers we encourage the growing relationship between education and the business community and view it as imperative to developing our collective workforce in a way that sustains our ability to compete on a global level, both now and in the future.
‘That’s why our parent company, Close Brothers Group plc has launched the ‘Close Brothers SME Apprentice Programme’, which will support the cost of training apprentices for SMEs across the UK,’ added Mr Bannayi.
