The Institute of Export & International Trade (IOE&IT) is working with NAS to highlight the commercial benefits of apprenticeships for all businesses engaged in international trade.
These benefits apply for all businesses – exporters, importers, logistics and shipping companies, banks, trade consultants and software providers, and indeed government departments. The benefits will apply for businesses of all sizes from small and medium-sized businesses to larger companies.
The IOE&IT has recently met with the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) following an invitation to discuss how the NAS can support members of the IOE&IT. International trade has never been more important for UK businesses and the UK economy, and coupled with significant changes introduced in 2017 on apprenticeships structure and funding, this makes a compelling case for development of international trade apprenticeships.
The IOE&IT is working with the National Apprenticeship Service to help us bring all the relevant information on apprenticeships to our members, all of which is free.
This is the first article in which we are working with the NAS to bring you up to date on apprenticeships, the benefits reported, and the opportunities for you to consider when recruiting an apprentice.
Apprentices can be placed in many job roles across your business, from when potential customers make their first enquiry, in a range of departments such as customer service, sales and marketing, accounts, logistics and trade compliance. Apprenticeships cover a range of job roles from Operative, Supervisor, through to Managerial and Director roles.
Why are apprenticeships considered integral to businesses and their growth?
The National Apprenticeship Service reports:
An advanced economy needs advanced skills. High quality apprenticeships are essential to support our employers and to help our economy to prosper in the years to come. The apprenticeship route offers the ideal opportunity for ambitious young people to get ahead while earning a wage and for employers to recruit the brightest and the best.
Apprenticeships are available in 1,500 job roles and a whole range of industries, from construction to manufacturing through to IT and the creative and digital sectors.
For employers, apprenticeships develop a motivated, skilled and qualified workforce, whilst improving productivity and reducing costs. A total of 2.4 million apprenticeships were started in England during the last parliament with government investment of £1,559,771 in the 2014/15 academic year.
Research published in June 2015 demonstrates the high level of return on investment delivered by the apprenticeship programme, indicating that adult apprenticeships at level 2 and level 3 deliver £26 and £28 of economic benefits respectively for each pound of government investment.
Apprenticeships now apply across all occupational levels with Higher and Degree Apprenticeships widening access to the professions and providing the high level technical skills that employers need to improve productivity and these high-quality apprenticeships are giving young people a career route equally as valid as going to university. For all businesses engaged in international trade apprenticeships provide the opportunity to cover possible skills shortages which are constraining your ability to grow.
So what does this all mean for your business?
NAS has agreed to support you individually as an IOE&IT Member through its free phone advisory service, operated by the Apprenticeship Business Support Team within NAS, which is available seven days a week.
This service will help you with any basic questions you may have, right through to helping you identify which job roles in your business could be filled by an apprentice. The service will also help you identify the training providers that can deliver the apprenticeship. If you decide to proceed and recruit an apprentice, the training provider will manage the complete training programme for you and also identify any financial incentives you may be eligible for.
The lead contact within the IOE&IT is Kevin Shakespeare – kevin.shakespeare@export.org.uk. Kevin is working with IOE&IT Members and Government to develop Trailblazers for all businesses and organisations engaged in international trade.
Please contact Kevin if you would like to join the group and help shape international trade apprenticeships.