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A Belfast mother is calling for more support for businesses from the government to encourage them to take on apprentices. Helen Marks’ son, Ryan Beggs, has been attempting to secure an apprenticeship for two years at Belfast Metropolitan College but has faced challenges in finding an employer willing to take him on. Despite previously working with a construction company, Ryan was unable to continue his apprenticeship due to concerns about additional costs and extensive training.
Helen believes that small and medium-sized businesses need assistance from the government as they already have overheads and insurance to cover. She emphasized the importance of providing incentives to employers to make hiring apprentices a positive investment rather than a burden. Ryan expressed his frustration with the process, noting the stress he has experienced in trying to gain a qualification through an apprenticeship.
The Department for Economy (DfE) reports a 40% increase in the number of individuals starting apprenticeship programs over the past five years. However, this surge in interest has made securing employment as an apprentice more competitive. With the growing popularity of apprenticeships, there is a need to support employers and make the process more appealing for businesses to take on apprentices.
Nicole Cameron, a former occupational therapist who transitioned into a higher level apprenticeship in event management, also struggled to find an employer willing to take her on. She stressed the importance of incentives for businesses considering apprenticeship programs. Despite the challenges, businesses like FairyTales Wedding Specialists in Coleraine have recognized the value apprentices bring to their teams, underlining the need for further support from authorities.
Currently, less than 10% of employers in Northern Ireland hire apprentices, according to Lucy Marshall from Workplus. The organization aims to connect job seekers with employers and has seen a significant increase in applications for traditional and higher level apprenticeships. While the complexities of the system can be challenging for employers, opportunities exist for businesses to collaborate and navigate the apprenticeship space collectively to benefit from the wealth of talent available in the region
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