Consumers prefer firms in the agriculture sector that employ apprentices

Over 80% of people are more likely to use a business if it offers Apprenticeships to young people, according to research released today. This is good news for firms in the agriculture, horticulture and animal care sector which saw 4,500 apprentices start last year.

The research, which was carried out by YouGov on behalf of the National Apprenticeship Service, asked a sample of consumers what factors they considered when buying products or services. It found that people are just as keen to buy from a company that supports young people by employing an apprentice as they are from a firm that has fair trade agreements with its suppliers (81%), or one that has strong environmental credentials (77%).

As well as highlighting the potential business benefits of employing an apprentice, the research also shows consumers’ resounding support for young job seekers in today’s economic climate with 94% of people stating that they think it is important for companies to take on apprentices during the recession.

Simon Waugh, Chief Executive of the National Apprenticeship Service said:

"These results prove that there are definite business advantages for companies in England, in the agriculture, horticulture and animal care sector that take on apprentices as part of their workforce. In the current economic climate, businesses want to stand out from the crowd and offering Apprenticeships is one way of doing this.

"It’s great that supporting young people is just as important to consumers as environmental and fair trade credentials when it comes to buying products or services. But this isn’t the only benefit that hiring an apprentice can bring to a business. We know from previous research that 80% of employers agree that apprentices make their workplace more productive."

The YouGov research has been carried out by the National Apprenticeship Service to launch its ’Good for Business’ initiative. This initiative seeks to increase the number of Apprenticeships available to 16-18 year olds in England by raising awareness of how the Apprenticeship programme can have long and short term benefits for employers, both in the private and public sector.

Kevin Brennan, Minister for Further Education, Skills, Apprenticeships and Consumer Affairs, said:

"We hope the ’Good for Business’ campaign will inform employers from all sizes and sectors about the business benefits apprentices can bring. It is more important than ever that UK business supports the nation’s young people by providing them with opportunities to get into the world of work, and it’s encouraging to see that doing this can have such a positive impact on a business’s bottom line."

Iain Wright, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for 14-19 Reform and Apprenticeships said:

"We’ve known for some time that apprentices can bring significant benefits to the organisations they work for, and this research just confirms that. I would urge businesses that don’t employ apprentices to take note and find out more about what hiring a young person can do for them."

To find out more about Apprenticeships, visit apprenticeships.org.uk or call 08000 150 600.