A HAMPSHIRE boatbuilder has been picked to star alongside three other companies in a nationwide advertising campaign urging businesses to take on more apprentices.

Berthon Boat Company, based in Lymington, is to star in the government radio campaign “Get In Go Far”.

A family company with sea in its blood, Berthon has 150 employees, and 100 skilled workers, and the business relies on the varied and specialised abilities of its workforce to fulfil its boatbuilding, refitting and maintenance contracts.

Apprenticeships are integral to the development of this expertise and are seen as the backbone to the company’s success, says managing director Brian May.

Brian has already worked with the Worshipful Company of Shipwrights’ Apprentice Scheme, which offers free advice, administration and mentoring to marine SMEs.

he said: "s a small family company, employing apprentices ensures the future of our business. The modern workforce is becoming increasingly transient, but apprenticeships breed loyalty. Many of our managers and all of our foremen at Berthon began their careers with our apprenticeship programme and we hope to see that cycle continue.

"Apprenticeships ensure that jobs are executed the “Berthon” way. Every business should be a no brainer."

According to government figures more than 200,000 apprentices are set to be recruited by small businesses in the next year.

Figures also show that 74 per cent of Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SME) apprentice employers report improved productivity

Growing the quality and quantity of apprenticeships offered is also an essential part of the Government’s newly-published Industrial Strategy Green Paper.

Apprenticeships and Skills Minister Robert Halfon said: “We know that apprenticeships give people of all ages and all backgrounds the skills they need to succeed. That is why more than 90 per cent of apprentices stay in employment after their scheme ends."