Taking notes

What are your thoughts on the flexi-apprenticeship scheme announced by the Chancellor last week? Do you think the sector can benefit from such an initiative? I asked Karly Lattimore, MD of training at the BPIF, for her initial thoughts on this and the other training announcements made in the Budget. “Whilst we don’t yet have the detail, the flexi-apprenticeship proposal will certainly increase access to a diverse talent pipeline within the industry,” she said, adding: “We fully welcome not only the increase in the apprenticeship incentive payments but also the removal of the age limit for the full incentive. With unemployment rising and the economy being what it is, the print industry can create high quality roles to support young people into their first career step in the print industry whilst also addressing their own workforce needs and skills gaps. With the removal of the age restriction the industry can go further and support some of the people hardest hit by the pandemic by attracting someone with sought-after transferable skills and retraining them to play a key part in print.” I’d welcome your thoughts…