Increasing The Number Of Apprentices In Our Economy Would Boost GDP By £4bn A Year

Dr Lynn Gambin from the University of Warwick's Institute of Employment Research specialises in research about apprenticeships. She is happy to comment on the Demos report. The Demos report analyses the role of apprentices in our economy, arguing that increasing their number would boost GDP by £4bn a year.

Dr Gambin said: "Previous research indicates that young people do express significant interest in undertaking an apprenticeship however where it is more difficult to increase numbers dramatically due to less demand from employers to take on apprentices. The number of employers in the UK engaged in the programme is relatively low. Figures indicate that 14 per cent of employers in England offer formal Apprenticeships and 9 per cent of employers employed formal apprentices. The sheer numbers of learners undertaking apprenticeships indicates substantial interest overall and more anecdotal evidence suggests that in many instances, applications for Apprenticeships far outstrip the number of places available.

We have ISDN and fixed camera facilities on campus for interviews. 

-ENDS-

For more information, please contact:

Kelly Parkes-Harrison
Warwick Business School
E: k.e.parkes@warwick.ac.uk
T: 02746 150 868