Tsar is born as demand for apprentices rises
12 Mar 2009
The Government's Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Bill has been welcomed as an opportunity for policymakers to reform the UK's further education (FE) and apprenticeship schemes.
While it cautioned the bill's ambition for the universal provision of apprenticeships, the Engineering and Technology Board (ETB) has hailed the introduction of a chief executive of skills funding - the 'apprenticeships Tsar' - and called for the post to demonstrate skills, experience and understanding relevant to engineering.
The Tsar's role will be to ensure that there is always an active and senior voice within the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) on this issue.
The ETB wants careful consideration to be given to the proposals for a universal right to apprenticeships and advised that the target must not undermine the quality, relevance and supply of apprenticeships, either by creating apprenticeships where there is no demand or by imposing extra administrative burdens on business.
ETB also called for increased employer involvement in setting the content and structure of further education to ensure courses are fit for purpose and to encourage students to be work-ready.
UK chemical and pharmaceutical companies are, meanwhile, continuing with apprenticeship programmes despite the financial downturn, according to a major research project involving over 130 companies in the North East.
The Cogent Sector Skills Council study indicated that major chemical and pharmaceutical employers plan to recruit 302 apprentices during 2009, despite facing extremely tough trading conditions.
The survey, which was undertaken during November 2008, was carried out in collaboration with the North East Process Industry Cluster (NEPIC) and its partner, the National Skills Academy Process Industries.
In a separate survey, the Learning and Skills Council found that around 70% of manufacturing companies said that apprentices have helped them to boost overall productivity.
The study, which was carried out for Apprentice Week (23-27 February), found that 15% of employers are hiring more apprentices to help them through difficult economic times.
The research found that 65% of employers rely on their apprenticeship programmes to provide them the skilled workers that they need for the future, while 45% are increasing the number of apprentices they take on this year.
While it cautioned the bill's ambition for the universal provision of apprenticeships, the Engineering and Technology Board (ETB) has hailed the introduction of a chief executive of skills funding - the 'apprenticeships Tsar' - and called for the post to demonstrate skills, experience and understanding relevant to engineering.
The Tsar's role will be to ensure that there is always an active and senior voice within the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) on this issue.
The ETB wants careful consideration to be given to the proposals for a universal right to apprenticeships and advised that the target must not undermine the quality, relevance and supply of apprenticeships, either by creating apprenticeships where there is no demand or by imposing extra administrative burdens on business.
ETB also called for increased employer involvement in setting the content and structure of further education to ensure courses are fit for purpose and to encourage students to be work-ready.
UK chemical and pharmaceutical companies are, meanwhile, continuing with apprenticeship programmes despite the financial downturn, according to a major research project involving over 130 companies in the North East.
The Cogent Sector Skills Council study indicated that major chemical and pharmaceutical employers plan to recruit 302 apprentices during 2009, despite facing extremely tough trading conditions.
The survey, which was undertaken during November 2008, was carried out in collaboration with the North East Process Industry Cluster (NEPIC) and its partner, the National Skills Academy Process Industries.
In a separate survey, the Learning and Skills Council found that around 70% of manufacturing companies said that apprentices have helped them to boost overall productivity.
The study, which was carried out for Apprentice Week (23-27 February), found that 15% of employers are hiring more apprentices to help them through difficult economic times.
The research found that 65% of employers rely on their apprenticeship programmes to provide them the skilled workers that they need for the future, while 45% are increasing the number of apprentices they take on this year.
