Mr. Andrew Magee:

Sometimes in craft apprenticeships the period of off-the-job release can be six months, which can be a deterrent for some employers. They may have one, two or three apprentices working for them and to allow the apprentice or apprentices to be trained off the job affects the employer's ability to keep trading. It is difficult for small employers; bigger employers have the resources to schedule apprentices for off-the-job release so the impact is less. Small employers have that challenge in craft apprenticeships and 90% of apprentices in the country are in those trades. Those trades have the same model: generally six months of phase two, three months of phase four and three months of phase six within four years of training. Can supports be put in place for employers? Working with apprentices is a difficult area because talent is being robbed from companies, if we go down that road.