The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) is urging employers to consider the benefits of taking on apprentices to help beat skills shortages.

The organisation claims there are 250,000 apprentices in England alone, employed by 130,000 businesses, and argues apprentices can offer employers a “highly motivated and loyal workforce that helps boost productivity and makes a positive difference to their business from day one”.

Companies employing apprentices benefit from reduced training costs, increased staff retention and a high potential for transferring skills across the business in the future, the LSC claims.

“Skills shortages remain a big issue within the UK and individuals need to be attracted to industry if we are to remain competitive in the global economy,” said Stephen Gardner, director of apprenticeships at the LSC.

“By training apprentices, employers can plan for future skills requirements ensuring that the skills critical to their companies success are not lost.

“There’s never a better time to think about what apprenticeships could do for your business than at this time of year when individuals across the nation review their options in light of their exam results, a valuable pool of talent potentially within your reach,” he added. “Apprenticeships enable businesses to have the right people, with the right skills, at the right time.”