The Institute of Directors has called the 0.5% levy on companies with payrolls of £3m or more, announced in yesterday's Autumn Statement, a big cost for many companies, including medium-sized firms.

While the CBI said it was a significant extra tax for business that would hit many smaller companies.

But so far the print industry has reacted positively.

BPIF chief executive Charles Jarrold said: “I don’t think it would be in any way a disincentive [to print companies] and should be an incentive towards developing their apprentice training efforts.

"It may and hopefully will incentivise organisations and act as a disincentive to those who 'freeload' by poaching from those who do invest in training – if so, it’ll be a positive step."

He also welcomed the establishment of a body to set standards for apprenticeships, saying it seemed to be modelled on the existing Trailblazer process, which the BPIF had been closely involved in. He added that the apprenticeship model in the print industry is an efficient model that delivers high-quality training.

But he warned: “Although every employer will receive a £15,000 allowance to offset against the levy, this will still be a significant extra payroll tax on businesses with pay bills of more than £3m.

“It will be essential to ensure that employers control any funds raised by the levy and that the money is used to support high-quality employer-led apprentice training, whilst minimising bureaucracy and administrative costs for both employers and front-line training delivery organisations."

Pureprint Group, which had a payroll of £9.3m in the 2014 calendar year, will be one company to pay the levy.

“We are very keen on training and apprenticeship programmes within the industry and any initiative that’s going to promote that in particular we are in favour of,” said marketing director Richard Owers.

“I think, through the tough times, training and apprenticeships is often one of the things that gets taken out of the process. But they really need to be part of our industry.”

He said his company was in favour of the decision “as long as the scheme puts money back into the industry”.

“The money has got to come from somewhere. It’s all about the outcome,” Owers said. “If the initiative is pushed through successfully it should definitely be good for industry and the printing industry as well.”

Industry commentators have long been concerned about training and attracting young people into print.

Managing director of Cornish business KCS Print Terrye Teverson and Prinovis human resource director Vicci Tatton are among those who support the levy.

Jarrold also welcomed new measures on business rate devolution, with local councils given the power to raise or cut rates.

“These measures may prove beneficial, provided they lead to a more stable and predictable local tax environment that supports the growth of local businesses.”