Latest figures show the number of new apprentices in the UK motor industry has grown for the first time in almost four years, but an industry body has warned proposed new legislation could damage this recovery.
A study by the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) found 10,940 started an apprenticeship in the motor trade in the period 2012/13, an increase of 4.2%. This reversed a trend of steady decline since 2009/10, with the industry badly hit by the global financial crisis and reaching its nadir in 2011/12 when the number of new starters plunged by 14.8%.
However, proposed Government changes to the way apprenticeship programmes will be delivered from 2017 could hinder this progress, fear the industry. The proposals will see employers take over the administration of apprentice registration, and an added financial contribution, currently the responsibility of training providers, and the IMI fears this will deter smaller businesses from taking on new apprentices.
IMI Chief Executive Steve Nash said: ““As a sector, we must work together to ensure that any proposed changes to the apprenticeship programmes do not derail this growth. The recruitment and training of the next generation is vital to the industry’s future success. Apprenticeships starts are a key indicator of growth in the automotive retail sector and the increase of new starts in 2012/13 are a sure sign of green shoots in the industry.”
The IMI recently released a study showing the a well-recruited apprentice can generate a return on investment of between 150-300% after three years, and the organisation is hoping to use its findings to encourage more motor trade businesses to take on apprentices.
The area which saw the most spectacular growth in apprenticeships was vehicle sales, which saw a 233.3& increase. Vehicle parts apprenticeships rose by 15.9%, vehicle paint and bodywork by 9.8%, and maintenance and repair by three per cent.
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