IMechE: Industry and schools must help boost attitudes to apprenticeships
5 Apr 2017
The Government must overcome public perception that apprenticeships are a poor alternative to academic qualifications, warns the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.
Speaking at the launch of the IMechE’s new report Apprenticeships in the education and skills landscape of England, author and director of engineering at the institution Dr Colin Brown stated:
“Apprenticeships need to be seen as equally valuable routes to employment not, as is still too often the case, as alternatives for people who are less academically gifted.”
Publication of the report was timed to coincide with the recent launch of the new Apprenticeship Levy.
Apprenticeships need to be seen as equally valuable routes to employment
Dr Colin Brown, director of engineering, IMechE
While welcomed in principle by most sectors, the extension of apprenticeship has raised concerns that more must be done to ensure the new qualifications are aligned to industry needs.
Said Brown:
“In order to give prospective engineering apprentices and employers assurance of the quality of training, Professional Engineering Institutions, such as the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, should also offer standards for all Vocational Qualification levels in conjunction with the Institute for Apprenticeships.
“The Government’s industrial strategy provides us with a much needed chance to invigorate the UK’s industry and economy, but none of this will be possible without the right skills in place to deliver these plans.”
The starting point for this would be to broaden links between industry and schools says the IME – not only by ensuring pupils were more receptive to apprenticeships but also encouraging greater awareness among teachers.
“Key ways of shifting perceptions include encouraging better links between schools and local industry, including for teachers to be encouraged to complete placements in local companies through schemes like STEM Insight,” explained Brown.
