The following employers have signed the letter below to highlight their commitment to Apprenticeships:

We warmly welcome the Government’s focus on Apprenticeships and its efforts to guarantee the quality of Apprenticeships.

The best Apprenticeships provide high quality training to individuals while they are in work resulting in skilled, confident staff that are critical for a business like ours.

We are reassured that as the Government increases the number of opportunities available, it is focussed on establishing robust structures and high-quality training.

With the proper frameworks in place, apprentices benefit from a rewarding experience and businesses gain from maximum return on their investments.

Signed by:

* The British Research Establishment
* JLR
* GlaxoSmithKleine
* Voyage
* Jarvis
* Toni & Guy
* GM Vauxhall
* Jaguar Landrover
* Serco
* Network Rail

* Neil Chapman, Manufacturing Director, UK&I
* Nigel Whitehead, Group Managing Director, Programmes and Support Operating Group, BAE Systems plc
* Blair Stokes-Hone, National Funding Manager, Housing 21
* Brian Burns, Renault Trucks
* Phil Millward, General Motors UK & Ireland
* James Jennings, Managing Director, Northwood Environmental
* David Allen, Owner of David Allen Accountancy
* Jennie Johnson, Chief Executive Officer, Kids Allowed
* Dave Otter, Head of Professional Development, Brathay Trust
* George Richie, Senior Vice President for HR, Sembcorp Utilities UK
* Stephen Gowland, Solicitor/Chairman, ILS Solicitors
* Dickon White, Managing Director, Haydock Park Racecourse
* Kevin Rowland, Regional Secretary, TUC
* Geoffrey Piper, Chief Executive, North West Business Leadership Team
* Anthony Massouras, Chief Executive, Mimosa Health Group
* Lloyd Thomas, Group Apprenticeship Manager The Co-operative
* Phil Handley, Managing Director Caterpillar Trucks
* Roy Cavanagh, Training & Education Executive, Seddon Group
* Mary O’Shaughnessy, Resourcing Manager, Enterprise Plc
* Kellie Rixon, Managing Director, The Devere Academy
* John Anderson, Chief Executive, BIC Ltd
* Jim Teasdale, Chief Executive, MerseyMaritime
* Alan Stevens, M.I.M.I., Quality and Funding Manager, Kwik-Fit Training Academy
* Will Large, Technical New Talent Programmes Manager, UK Learning & Development, National Grid plc
* Mike Johnson, InstLM,Group Training Manager, Gelder Group
* John Wood, Greenbank Terotech Limited
* Wayne Pearson, Managing Director, BRUSH Electrical Machines Limited
* David Hughes, FIET MIET, Head of the Engineering Academy, E.ON New Build & Technology Limited
* Jane Newman, Work Based Learning Officer, City of Lincoln Council
* Martin Traynor, Chief Executive, Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce
* Mark Kite, Head of Contracts and Development, Barchester Healthcare
* Steve Forster the Production & Materials Control Manager, Abacus Lighting
* Dave Sawdon – Apprentice Development Manager for BT North East
* David Lloyd, Managing Director of Matthews Brand Solutions
* Nigel Couzens, Head of People Strategy for Nuclear Decommissioning Authority
* Gareth Higgins, Managing Director of KMF
* Sharon Alexander, Managing Director of Rosy Apple Childcare
* Allan Wilson, Engineering Manager from Pirelli
* Bernard Waldron, UK Director of Manufacturing for MBDA
* Sandra Clinton, General Manager of Evenwood Farm Pub & Restaurant
* Delroy Beverley, Director of Property Solutions for Incommunities
* Peter Dartford, Chief Fire Office/Chief Executive, Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Services
* Steve Ballas, Training & Development Manager for Nissan Motor Manufacturing
* Dr Andy Goodwin, Divisional Director for Mott MacDonald
* Christine Gaskell, Member of the Board for Personnel at Bentley Motors
* David Lloyd, Managing Director, Matthews Brand Solutions UK
* Kendra Moffatt, Apprenticeship Programme Manager, Superdrug
* Salim Hasan, Head of Operation, Eurogarages

“World class engineers are becoming increasingly hard to find. As a result, Red Bull Technology took the decision to start an apprentice training programme to help train ten Formula One engineers.

“Our industry is highly competitive and requires particular skills, therefore we have put together a bespoke training programme, which will include training in our world class engineering facilities as well as at Milton Keynes college.

“It is a big investment for Red Bull Technology to undertake, but we feel it is worthwhile long-term and that, once the engineers are fully trained, we will see benefits for them and for us.”
Ian Carroll, Red Bull Technology

“Our apprenticeship programmes have been a great success and we’re expanding them across our business. We benefit from the passion, skills and enthusiasm that the apprentices bring to our business and our apprentices get to work towards nationally recognised qualifications, whilst gaining hands-on experience in real work settings and getting a great start to a career with P&G.

“As well as delivering outstanding results, the apprentices have brought fresh ideas and innovative processes to our business. This includes the previous year’s apprentices taking a leading role in supporting the following year’s intake. They’ve become a crucial part of our organisation across a number of functions including finance, marketing and research & development.”
Niall de Lacy, HR Director, P&G UK and Ireland

“Apprentices have been the backbone of our growth. Planning ahead we can help to close the skills gaps and develop our engineers and leaders of the future. Our in-house apprenticeship programme produces highly educated and self motivated employees who live the values of the company and who have a deep appreciation of engineering and what it can do to help it’s customers, and to make a positive and sustainable contribution to the economy.”
Martin Hottass, Siemens