Government unveils 'radical' apprenticeships plan
30 Sep 2010
London – The Government plans to reform apprenticeships by expanding the number of apprenticeship places on offer and prioritise more advanced skills levels at level three and above, skills minister John Hayes has announced.
The Coalition, said Hayes, will also “take a firm approach” in establishing what the employer contribution to apprenticeship programmes should be. Another target is to make it easier for businesses to access apprenticeships, and in particular small businesses.
According to Hayes, the government is “firmly committed” to work-based learning and training, and to expanding apprenticeships and making them more accessible to learners and businesses.
The minister also highlighted the role of group training associations (GTA) in helping businesses, particularly small businesses, take on apprentices. He also challenged them to engage with more employers and get them involved with the apprenticeships programme.
“The truest measure of the success or failure of this Government’s commitment to apprenticeships will be found in how well-equipped today’s young people will be in future years to face the shifting challenges of life and work,” said Hayes.
“To be successful in that, we must create a radically new model for workplace training with apprenticeships at its heart and with partnership between Government, employers and individuals as its motive force.
“We have promised to re-shape the apprenticeships programme to ensure that it provides more high-quality training opportunities. We have already begun to deliver on that promise by redeploying £150 million to provide an extra 50,000 places.”
The Government also aims to expand and improve the apprenticeships programme by building on the existing strengths of the GTA sector.The Skills Funding Agency is to review what funding they might make available to support the work of GTAs in increasing advanced and higher level skills in growth sectors.
The minister urged employers to contribute to the two consultations launched in July. The consultations are gathering suggestions on how the skills system can better meet the needs of employers and learners, and how to simplify the funding system to enable colleges and providers to deliver more efficiency and effectively.
