A new survey shows the north-east is lagging behind other parts of Scotland when it comes to providing apprenticeship opportunities.
But initiatives such as the Press and Journal’s Apprentice 100 campaign could help turn the tide, a youth employment task force for the region said yesterday.
Only 27% of north-east employers offer apprenticeships, well below the Scottish average of 41%, according to the Business and Education survey from the British Chamber of Commerce. Nearly half of UK businesses take on apprentices.
The poll, which was conducted in July and August, received 3,246 responses from businesses and 306 responses from schools, colleges and universities, with just 107 responses from the north-east of Scotland.
Nearly a third of north-east employers do not offer work placements to schoolchildren, despite 74% of respondents from the region saying they are a valid way of developing young employees. Just under 60% said they would start laying on work experience opportunities if they got more information and support.
The north-east does excel in terms of education partnerships – 60% of employers had links with schools and colleges, outstripping the UK average by 6%.
Amanda Boyle, project director for Developing the Young Workforce in North-east Scotland, said the taskforce is making headway in bridging the gap between educators and employers, particularly in construction and hospitality.
Ms Boyle also acknowledged the positive role being played by Apprentice 100, which is encouraging employers in the north and north-east to raise a century of new jobs in the same number of days.
Our crusade has received a tremendous response – generating more than 50 apprenticeships in just over a month – with backing coming from the likes of Jamie Oliver, Nick Nairn and Balmoral Estate.
Ms Boyle said: “Recruiting the brightest and best talent means employers making themselves and the opportunities available known to young people.
“The Developing the Young Workforce initiative, along with campaigns such as Apprentice 100, is a vital step in providing young people in the north-east with pathways to successful careers.”