Too much paperwork, concerns about employment law and doubts over business prospects are all reasons companies hesitate to take on apprentices.

To help make the process easier, the Kick Start Kent campaign is doing some research into the biggest issues stopping businesses employing them.

A short survey will run on the website all week, asking company bosses what their bugbears and concerns are about apprenticeship schemes.

And anyone who takes part can win £200 of digital advertising with the KM Group.

Rap Interiors has taken on three apprentices in the last four years and employs 12 staff at its head office in Orchard Industrial Estate, Maidstone.

Director Julie Anderson said: “I don’t think it is clear enough and I don’t think it is an easy process.

“A lot more businesses would get involved with it if you could go online somewhere and register saying ‘I’m looking for a young girl to do accounts who can drive’ and then someone dealt with it for you.

Take the Kick Start Kent survey

“The minute there is paperwork and an apprentice provider wants to come and talk to you, it’s not as easy.”

There are apprenticeship training agencies (ATAs) who offer such services, like the South East Apprenticeship Company (SEAC).

The not-for-profit firm takes on apprentices on behalf of the companies they work for.

It is a lower risk option where the ATA assumes full legal responsibility for the apprentice, meaning the company can change their mind half way through the course if their business situation changes.

Operations manager Irene Hoare, based in Rainham, said: “Companies have many different business reasons for not wanting to employ an apprentice directly.

“They might have a recruitment freeze, not have an HR department or the time to go through a recruitment process.

“We take all the responsibilities of employment away. Employment law can be fraught when taking on an apprentice and we provide a safety net for companies who can’t risk that.

“ATAs provide an employment solution to companies who are not in a position to employ an apprentice direct.”

But Julie Anderson does not always think they offer a good service.

She said: “I haven’t got time to work out what they are going to do or how they are going to do it. Often they don’t call you back.

“In the end we just took one on ourselves.”

Kick Start Kent is a KM Group campaign aiming to get 50 firms to take on an apprentice over the next year.

To find out more information about taking on an apprentice or becoming one, email kickstartkent@thekmgroup.co.uk