The Apprentice: Increasing number of businesses reliant on young people as National Apprenticeship Week kicks off in style

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Published: 11 March 2013

It was common decades ago, but many struggling businesses in the automotive industry today are increasingly reliant on apprentices to keep their business alive.

Apprentices are now abundant everywhere, from MOT service centres, specialist tyre fitters, engine tuning garages or even the world’s most prominent car manufacturers including the likes of BMW MINI, Bentley, Jaguar Land Rover, Ford and Mercedes-Benz.

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Empowerment: An increasing number of young women are finding themselves attracted to roles in a male-dominated industry.

As National Apprenticeship Week kicks off, Business Secretary Vince Cable said: “Companies in the automotive sector have long recognised the value of offering apprenticeships and have a proud record of putting young people on exciting and rewarding career paths.

“Since 2010 we have had over a million people start an apprenticeship in the UK. I am pleased that there has been especially strong growth in sectors that are vital to creating jobs outside of London and making the economy stronger including a 57 per cent increase in engineering and manufacturing apprenticeships over the last two years alone.”

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Nick Clegg and Vince Cable meet apprentices at the Jaguar Land Rover manufacturing facility in Solihull.

Speaking on the value of apprentices in the automotive industry, Mike Baunton, SMMT Interim Chief Executive said: "The industry fully recognises the importance of attracting the brightest and best young people this country has to offer and invests millions each year in apprenticeships and training schemes that nurture and shape talent.

"The UK automotive industry has welcomed more than £6bn of investment in recent years and this has created thousands of job opportunities directly at facilities as well as up and down the supply chain.

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“There has never been a better time to consider a career in the motor industry and this event highlights the long-term benefits and rewards that can be gained from joining the already 700,000-strong automotive workforce."

While businesses may reap the rewards of greater profits, lower prices, better-quality products and higher wages – increasing productivity by £214 every week according to the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) – many young people are put off careers which initially involve what has frequently been described as ‘slave labour’.

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And when the National Minimum Wage for an apprentice is a harsh £2.65 for every hour worked, this is hardly surprising. Employers have been warned that apprentices need to be paid at least the minimum wage when they turn 19.

Despite this, 20-year-old Vauxhall apprentice Jack Stearn is optimistic. He said: “My apprenticeship has continually provided me with a challenge, new skills and tremendous opportunities. An apprenticeship is something I would strongly encourage people to consider.”

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Often hailed as the ‘lifeblood of business’ in keeping organisations alive, apprentices deserve greater credit and for young people, choosing the right apprenticeship is a challenging task.