RESEARCH has revealed a growing appetite for apprentices among businesses in the region.

Two-thirds of companies which run apprenticeship schemes plan to give more young people in Yorkshire and Humber an opportunity to take their first steps into the job market, according to the 2014 CBI/Pearson Education and Skills Survey.

Out of the 291 respondents, 87 of which have employees in Yorkshire and Humber, 84 per cent are expecting demand for higher skills to increase in the next three to five years. However, 62 per cent of companies said they were not confident they will be able to access enough highly skilled workers. to meet their needs. A total of 69 per cent of firms in Yorkshire and Humber which already run apprenticeships plan to increase them in future.

Giles Fletcher, CBI Yorkshire and Humber regional director, said: It’s increasingly clear that Yorkshire and Humber faces a shortage in skilled technicians in the years ahead, if we fail to create more chances for young people leaving education and for existing workers.

“Apprenticeships can help benefit the local economy but also tackle the scourge of youth unemployment.”