Apprenticeships get major boost

The Apprenticeships Review has been launched by the government in a bid to ensure apprenticeships become a mainstream option for young people and older learners have greater opportunities for apprenticeships.

In November the government announced substantial increases in funding to expand the apprenticeship programme over the next three years.

This new review sets out how expansion will be delivered, how quality will be improved and how better support will be offered to employers.

The plan sets out objectives to make apprenticeships a mainstream option for 16 to 18-year-olds and to ensure that places are available for all qualified young people by 2013, with a significant increase in apprenticeships for older learners.

Further measures include a pilot wage subsidy programme for small businesses and a taskforce to improve take-up of apprenticeships in London, where there is a current shortfall.

A National Apprenticeship Service is being planned to oversee qualifications and encourage young people to explore non-traditional areas. Part of its remit is to encourage female apprentices to consider construction-related trades.

SummitSkills chief executive Keith Marshall was “broadly positive” about the moves.

“I’m very pleased with the fact that there will be more funds for adult trainees, and also with the plans for a wage subsidy for small businesses.”

Training provider JTL’s chief executive Denis Hird welcomed the review.

“Vocational training is not the poor relation of academia, and the growing number of apprenticeships across the country is testament to this.

“Any employer can see the value of recruiting an employee who has both the direct experience and theoretical knowledge to back it up.”

The number of young people and adults successfully completing apprenticeships has already risen from around 40 000 in 2001/02 to more than 100 000 in 2006/07.