CIA: Keep apprenticeships out of politics

London - The Chemical Industries Association has called for a political consensus on apprenticeships to give industry "a period of certainty" to invest in its long-term skills needs. The call came just as the Conservative Party launched proposals for apprentices a week after new government plans.

CIA chief executive Steve Elliot said: "Chemical businesses throughout the UK have been supporting apprenticeship schemes for decades and the Government and the Conservative Party proposals have much in them which employers will welcome but my point today is that we need to reach a consensus on the way forward and then stick to it."

Elliot went on to warn that "repeatedly swapping and changing the requirements and support mechanisms for apprenticeships will not help us convince the talented individuals industry needs to attract that modern apprenticeships offer a unique and high quality training and career opportunity.

"We need a robust modern apprenticeship scheme which can achieve political consensus and a cross party commitment to support it into the future. That gives business the confidence in the scheme that I am sure will lead to an increase in the number and quality of opportunities available.”