British Jewellers' Association

Jason Holt Review on making apprenticeships more accessible to business.

Fill out the short survey to have your say: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/JMVMJVP

Social Entrepreneur Jason Holt who runs a jewellery business in Hatton garden and is Founder of the not-for-profit Holts Academy, is heading up a government review on Apprenticeships. Focussing on the barriers preventing recruitment, how to cut red tape and simplify the processes currently in-place, the review aims to make apprenticeships more available to Small and Medium Size Businesses (SMEs). Jason presents his recommendations to Ministers in May.

Jason is very keen to receive feedback from the jewellery industry and to hear any thoughts on how apprenticeships are perceived and how the processes could be improved.

Jason notes, “I’ve had the unique experience of speaking to a very diverse group of people, from government ministers and training providers to trade associations and businesses. While my thoughts are still forming, I am beginning to realise just how critical it is to crack this nut. In truth, the majority of people in business are at best confused and at worst clueless about how to go about recruiting an apprentice. And yet, those who have taken the leap speak of the immense benefit, value and satisfaction in investing in their future. There is clear empirical data to show the correlation between business success and a policy of apprentice recruitment. So why is it that the vast majority of businesses remain oblivious?”

Jason goes on to say, “Potentially, if Ministers accept all (or any!) of my recommendations, the jewellery industry has the chance to be the first in line to have a say in what should change. So I would love to hear from you to find out what you think the government should do to make it easier for you to take on an apprentice.”

Sitting on the BJA National Committee, Jason is aware of the extensive work that the BJA has already carried out to launch a jewellery apprenticeship scheme later in the year. By responding to this questionnaire, you will be contributing to the success of this project in addition to help identify the strength of feeling in the jewellery industry to effect positive change at ministerial level.

Any thoughts would be appreciated, you can have your say by filling out this short survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/JMVMJVP

I really look forward to your input and through the BJA I will report back to you on progress as the review and recommendations begin to form.

Notes by way of Background

Further details of the Review’s focus and timescale are detailed in the press notice available at: http://www.bis.gov.uk/news/press-releases?start=2 (scroll down to 14 February notices). Carrying out this Review was a commitment made in the Education and Skills Growth Review in November 2011.

Completing a short survey available on Survey Monkey via the following link (http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/JMVMJVP) would greatly help Jason in taking forward his Review.

Alternatively, David Sampson at the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS), who is supporting Jason on his Review, would be pleased to receive your views either via email or by telephone (david.sampson@bis.gsi.gov.uk, tel: 020 7215 1609).