APPRENTICESHIPS BOOST LOCAL BUSINESSES BY £1.6m

Andrew Stunell MP & Lisa Smart, PPC, are calling for more businesses in Stockport to take on an apprentice, after new research revealed a £1.6 million boost to Hazel Grove businesses from new apprenticeships just in the last year.

Commenting, Andrew said -

"Local firms have found that after you've accounted for the costs, having an apprentice helps your profits. I was delighted to get over 200 job offers for apprentices from our campaign last year. Now with the benefits for a company so clear, it would be great to see many more Stockport businesses taking up the challenge this year."

Lisa Smart, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Hazel Grove, said -

"This report clearly shows that not only are apprenticeships great for our young people, but they're great for our businesses and great for growth too."

"By giving young people a chance, you will also be boosting your business. The benefit here of £1.6m has made a real difference to our local economy, and that's just from apprentices who began last year."

"If you don't have one already, I'd highly recommend every local business to consider employing an apprentice. We've recently hired an apprentice, Conor, in our Romiley office and he really is a great addition to the team!"

Last year, 840 people started an apprenticeship in Hazel Grove. This means that new apprentices alone provided a local boost of around £1,630,000 in 2012/13. Organisations in the North West also saw the greatest net benefit in the UK in 2012/13 of £279million.

Every time a local company hires an apprentice, their bottom line gets an average boost of £1,941. This happens immediately, while the apprentice is being trained, and represents the benefit after typical wage and training costs for the North West are deducted.

To view the report in full visit - http://www.aat.org.uk/news/article/AAT-research-shows-value-of-apprenticeships-UK-businesses