More than half of UK small and medium-sized enterprises have axed plans to take on apprentices because of the cost-of-living crisis, according to new research unveiled today by Vodafone Business. Vodafone Business polled over 1,000 SME business leaders across the UK and found of the 60% of firms who have taken on apprentices in the past, a worrying 51% had axed their schemes because of soaring business costs including energy and transport.
The findings have been announced as Vodafone Business today launches a partnership with Multiverse, using funds from Vodafone’s Apprenticeship Levy, to upskill UK SME employees.
Vodafone Business will provide small businesses with £18,000 each to upskill existing employees via a pilot partnership with Multiverse.
