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The CBI commented on a Public Accounts Committee report on adult apprenticeships.

Neil Carberry, CBI Director for Employment & Skills policy, said:

“MPs have rightly recognised the successes of the apprenticeships programme, though we would agree that more could be done to maximise the potential of apprenticeships and ensure they are delivering the skills that individuals and businesses need.

“While we welcome the Committee’s recommendation for BIS to improve the quality of its information and promote apprenticeships better to increase the number of new starts, the Government must also continue to cut the bureaucracy for employers and remove barriers to companies getting involved, particularly the smaller ones.

“Better defining the relationship between the Skills Funding Agency and the National Apprenticeship Service is a good idea. Businesses are not interested in who’s responsible in Whitehall, they want a single identifiable point-of-contact as their source of information, and clear, robust support when they’re setting up new schemes.

“Employers are committed to delivering apprenticeships and invest over £49 billion a year in workforce skills and training overall. Businesses recognise the benefits of apprenticeships in improving productivity and giving young people the skills they need to achieve well-paid and fulfilling careers.”