A statistic that the Welsh Government and the National Training Federation for Wales (NTfW), which represents work-based training providers across Wales, are keen to change this summer is the number of school-leavers becoming apprentices.

Out of the cohort of 31,500 Welsh school-leavers aged 16 to 19 last year, only 401 opted to become apprentices.

Now the Welsh Government has launched a campaign to sign up 1,000 apprentices this summer, as part of its pledge to support a minimum of 100,000 high-quality all-age apprenticeships during this administration.

Apprenticeships begin at level two (a foundation apprenticeship) and progress to level three (an apprenticeship).

Levels four and above are higher apprenticeships (degree apprenticeships are under development for ICT, advanced manufacturing and engineering).

The Apprenticeship Employer Incentive Programme is providing support for SMEs to recruit apprentices aged 16 to 19.

This support — only available to SMEs that are new to apprenticeships or have not recruited an apprentice in the last 30 months — is being offered to a maximum of three apprentices per employer; it will be available irrespective of the level of the apprenticeship.

NTfW chairman Sarah John is urging employers to speak to the NTfW if their business needs are not being met by the existing apprenticeship provision.

“We realise that if we are to engage more young people and deliver higher level skills, it will need a whole-government approach.

“We need to get employers to create demand for apprenticeship vacancies that will attract the brightest school-leavers.”

Companies wanting to find out more about employing apprentices and the Apprenticeship Small Business Employer Incentive Programme should complete the ‘Expression of Interest’ form at Business Wales Skills Gateway (businesswales.gov.wales/skillsgateway/apprenticeships-0).