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date: 23 February 2009

embargo: 00.01hrs Tuesday 24 February 2009

London is leading the way in taking on new apprentices

With recent Government figures showing that the number of apprenticeship starts in London increased by 30 per cent in 2008, the TUC has today (Tuesday) published a new guide for unions to encourage more employers to take on apprentices.

The TUC guide - Apprenticeships are Union Business - will be launched at an event hosted by unionlearn - the TUC's learning and skills organisation - and the Apprenticeship Ambassadors Network at TUC Headquarters in London later today.

Recent figures show that the number of apprentices in Greater London increased from 11,100 in 2006/07 to 14,500 in 2007/08. This increase of 30.6 per cent is the second highest in the UK (after the North East) and around ten percentage points higher than the UK average of 21.9 per cent.

The TUC guide and apprenticeships event highlight union successes in persuading employers to take on apprentices and show how unions are persuading employers across the capital to take on apprentices.

The event is taking place during Apprenticeships Week, when unions and employers across the UK will be celebrating the essential role that apprentices play for businesses. The TUC also believes that apprenticeships should be at the heart of the skills-based economy that it would like to see help take the UK out of recession.

TUC Deputy General Secretary Frances O'Grady will mark the end of Apprenticeships Week on Friday 27 February by going 'back to the floor' and shadowing an apprentice for the day.

TUC Deputy General Secretary Frances O'Grady said: 'Until recently London had a poor track record of taking on apprentices. But in the last few years, thousands of new apprentices have started training, bringing huge benefits to businesses across the city.

'With London 2012 and Crossrail alone set to create tens of thousands of new skilled jobs, the prospects for apprentices in London are looking good.

'Unions want to build on this momentum and persuade more employers to take on apprentices. Today's event will showcase some of the successes we've already had and show that apprenticeships are good for employers, unions and trainees alike.'

Also speaking at the Congress House event Group Managing Director of Compass Group UK & Ireland Ltd Ian El-Mokadem said: 'At Compass we know that our people are our most important asset. Apprenticeships form an integral part of our recruitment and training strategy. The development of a team of well-trained, engaged and highly motivated colleagues is an important investment in our future success as a business and is vital in the current economic climate.

'We are delighted to support Apprenticeship Week and confirm our commitment to growing our apprenticeship numbers throughout the next year.'

NOTES TO EDITORS:

- The TUC Apprenticeships guide - Apprenticeships are Union Business - is available to download from www.tuc.org.uk/extras/apprenticeshipsguideforunions.pdf

- Keynote speakers at the unionlearn SERTUC and Apprenticeship Ambassadors Network conference include Learning and Skills Council National Director of Apprenticeships David Way, TUC Deputy General Secretary Frances O'Grady and Group Managing Director of Compass Group UK and Ireland ltd Ian El-Mokadem.

- Any journalists wishing to attend the conference or interview the keynote speakers should contact the TUC press office on 020 7467 1248.

- The latest figures for apprenticeship starts across the UK are available at www.thedataservice.org.uk/statistics

- Apprenticeship Week activities will take place around the country and involve celebrities, politicians and apprentices. The week is an opportunity to promote the benefits that apprentices bring to businesses and the economy.

- All TUC press releases can be found at www.tuc.org.uk

- Register for the TUC's press extranet: a service exclusive to journalists wanting to access pre-embargo releases and reports from the TUC. Visit www.tuc.org.uk/pressextranet

Contacts:

Media enquiries:
Liz Chinchen T: 020 7467 1248 M: 07778 158175 E: media@tuc.org.uk
Rob Holdsworth T: 020 7467 1372 M: 07717 531150 E: rholdsworth@tuc.org.uk
Elly Brenchley T: 020 7467 1337 M: 07900 910624 E: ebrenchley@tuc.org.uk

Press release (700 words) issued 24 Feb 2009