Following last month’s launch of the Government’s new ‘fire it up’ apprenticeship campaign, The Institute of Telecommunications Professionals (ITP) is calling on the telecoms industry to employ more apprentices.
“This new campaign is designed to promote apprenticeships to businesses, parents and young people,” said ITP CEO Crissi Williams.
“We have seen first hand the impact apprenticeships can have on telecoms organisations, large and small, and want to push the message to the industry that hiring an apprentice can have a considerable impact on your business - whilst filling the skills gap.”
The ITP has been running its own apprenticeship scheme on behalf of members since 2013 and has now created more than 100 roles across the industry as a result.
With more than 40 businesses now taking part in the scheme, the ITP is focusing this year on helping SMEs to find and employ apprentices, based on the success of its original members.
“Research has shown that the number of young people considering apprenticeships over university is increasing, which means a high calibre talent pool for employers to recruit from," added Williams.
"Many of our original apprentices are now in senior positions within their businesses. Their employers tell us they are an asset and that apprenticeship programmes have helped them their business create leaders from the ground up.
"With funding available, we’re helping smaller employers to navigate the administrative minefield and realise the business benefits.”
Employers report benefits such as improved productivity (78%), improved product or service quality (74%) as well as new the new ideas apprentices bring to their organisation (65%). Moreover, 83% would recommend apprentices to other businesses.