Conservative Conference 2011: Cameron appeals to businesses to increase apprenticeships

In his keynote speech to the Conservative Party Conference, Cameron made a direct appeal to businesses, saying that while the government had increased the number of apprenticeships available, not enough was being done by big businesses.

He said: "We've provided funding for 250,000 extra apprenticeships, but not enough big companies are delivering. If you want skilled employees, we'll provide the funding, we'll cut the red tape. But you've got to show more leadership and give us the apprenticeships we need."

The Association of Employment and Learning Providers (AELP) said the commitment to reduce red tape was welcome.

"It’s greatly encouraging that the Prime Minister recognises the importance of apprenticeships in underpinning a sustainable economic recovery," AELP spokeman Aidan Relf said. "He’s right to point the finger at red tape being a factor in holding back their growth in both large and smaller businesses. Training providers believe, for example, that some of the official Specification of Apprenticeship Standards for England impose an unjustifiable bureaucracy that does not improve the quality of apprenticeships and actually holds back talented apprentices from progressing more quickly through their programme."