Whatever your business, the FSB will work for you.
Education, skills and business support The education system across the UK, from nursery to further education, should nurture entrepreneurship so that future generations are equipped with the confidence and skills to run their own business.
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Groundbreaking report shows that small firms are more likely to employ people from disadvantaged groups, including young people -
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Apprenticeships
The issue Small businesses realise the value of taking on apprentices but are put off by the scale of employment regulation. Our research shows that only eight per cent of small businesses took on an apprentice in 2011, but
Read more that more small businesses would take on an apprentice if there was a financial incentive.
What we have done
The Government is providing grants in England to businesses that are looking to recruit 16-24 year olds into an apprenticeship called the Apprenticeship Grant for Employers (AGE). Businesses can access up to £1,500 as well as training costs. These payments will be paid once the young person has completed week 13 of the apprenticeship. This demonstrates that the Government has listened to the needs of the members. Find out how it works in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Solutions
We need to change the attitude towards apprenticeships so they are realised as a valuable alternative to university and full-time further education and the path to a successful career. They need to be as desirable in small firms as they are in larger organisations.
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Mentoring
The issue Mentoring is invaluable as around 70 per cent of mentored small firms survive five years or more - double the number of those firms that aren't mentored. We know that our members find our networking events a
Read more good source of support and advice. But for new businesses to survive the need access to this support too.
Our research shows that 21 per cent of micro, small and medium sized businesses that sought external advice were more likely to have grown their workforce, compared to 14 per cent that didn't take advice and 32 per cent sought advice were more likely to have increased their turnover.
Solutions
We are supporting Get Mentoring to recruit new mentors and encourage our members in England to take up the opportunity of becoming a mentor, to pass on their knowledge to the next generation of businesses.
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