When defence industry giant BAE Systems advertised for 800 apprenticeship roles in February, a record 9,000 people applied.
Despite the pandemic, the group which has two North West sites in Lancashire where it builds and tests fighter jets, has pressed ahead with plans to recruit young talent with 2,000 people shortlisted for interviews.
Its CEO Charles Woodburn said getting people back to work and creating new jobs, especially for younger people “is a national priority and we’re pleased to play our part in supporting the 海角视频’s economic recovery.”
While BAE has gone ahead with its plans, there has been growing concerns from business organisations about the impact of the pandemic on young people.
Providers have reported a total of 13,020 apprenticeship starts between 23 March and 30 April 2020 – a 49 per cent drop compared to the same time last year.
With rising unemployment business groups London First and the North West Business Leadership Team (NWBLT) have now joined forces to publish a seven-point-plan to urge the government to take immediate steps to “support the apprenticeship system, or risk a lost cohort of young people.”
It comes as they warn that apprenticeship starts are expected to drop by 50% this September amid concerns that the government’s furlough scheme is masking future lay-offs and fears of rising youth unemployment.
The Sutton Trust has reported only 39% of apprenticeships are continuing as normal as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
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Together the business groups are calling on the government to take action to "maintain the sustainability of the apprenticeship training private sector, and ensure businesses are encouraged to continue to employ apprentices."
Sandy Lindsay MBE, skills lead and vice chair, North West Business Leadership Team, said: “This is not a time for bureaucracy and delay; this is a time for swift action, innovation and open dialogue between government and business.
“We are calling on government to work with us to look at ways to free up finance that can be used to save the jobs of thousands of young people, as well as the skills that will be needed by businesses into the future.”
The group has put together a seven-point-plan.
Some of the suggestions include the introduction of a long-term ‘Back to Work’ fund to help businesses take on apprenticeships, provide funding relief fairly for all apprenticeships, support providers and businesses to continue to offer apprenticeships safely, and give businesses greater flexibility in how they use Levy funds.
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said urgent action was needed “so we don’t risk a lost generation.”
He said: “Now more than ever we need to ensure that the opportunities are there for young people to get the start on the career ladder that they deserve.
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"In Greater Manchester we’ve set up our own careers and apprenticeship service for young people, GMACS, to support them in planning for their future, but we also need action at a national level.”
Liverpool also runs a similar scheme to GMACS called Be-More, the 海角视频’s first UCAS-style apprenticeship portal to enable prospective apprentices to find the information they need in one place.
Steve Rotherham, Mayor of Liverpool City Region, said: “Young people are one of the groups most affected by this pandemic and will have to live longest with its consequences.
“It is vital that we put measures in place that specifically support the generation of young people who are about to enter the world of work.
“Apprenticeships have to be at the heart of the effort to enable young people to develop the skills they need to thrive in a post-COVID economy.”
Jasmine Whitbread, CEO of London First, added: “Our young people are facing the most challenging jobs market ever, with the economic fall out of the pandemic expected to hit the under 25s disproportionately hard.
“Tackling the scourge of youth unemployment will require the Government to do all it can to support the apprenticeship system.
"That includes introducing a new Back to Work fund to encourage employers to take on apprentices and making the apprenticeship levy more flexible.”
Back at BAE Systems successful applicants will begin their careers on one of more than 25 apprenticeship training programmes in its air, maritime and electronic systems divisions, with the rest joining from September to January.
Mr Woodburn said: “The contribution apprentices make to our business is vital in maintaining our ability to continue to deliver cutting edge technologies which protect national security.
“We’ve worked hard to adapt our application and training processes to allow education to continue, whilst protecting the health and wellbeing of our employees and new recruits.”