Member Article

Minimum 12 months for apprenticeships, as NE recruits

Apprenticeships will last for a minimum of 12 months to improve training and workplace learning, Skills Minister John Hayes has announced.

New standards will come into force for all age groups from August 2012, as apprenticeships for those aged 19 and over will last between one to four years unless prior learning or attainment has been recorded, and apprenticeships for all 16-18 year-olds will last a minimum of 12 months without exception.

Mr Hayes said: “The momentum we have created by building the apprenticeship brand has brought about unprecedented success for the apprenticeship programme.

“The majority of apprenticeships are the gold standard in vocational training. They boost individuals’ life chances and build the skills that drive growth.

“But we must be relentless in our drive to ensure all apprenticeships are as good as the best, to identify and root out any instances of poor quality provision, and to raise the bar on standards.

“We are taking strong and decisive action to tackle short duration so all apprentices receive high quality training and workplace learning setting them on the road to a long, rewarding career.”

The measures come as Yorkshire Bank reveal the results of a survey across 1,000 UK businesses, which shows that North East businesses are set to increase the amount of apprentices they employ before summer.

37% of North East businesses operate a scheme, and just more than a third of those expect to increase the number of apprentices they employ this year.

Although two-fifths of the region’s businesses expect overall staffing levels to remain on a par with last year, the vast majority of businesses (84%) agree the use of apprentices is a good way to develop new talent.

Simon Lenney, managing partner of Yorkshire Bank’s North East Team, said: “For decades many UK businesses have used apprenticeship schemes as a vital way of transferring skills and offering alternative routes to employment for young people, particularly in sectors such as manufacturing and service-based industries.

“With more young people now choosing to tackle the world of work early rather than going to university, it is important this young talent is captured by UK businesses.”

ONS figures show that applications for UK universities last year dropped nearly 9%, largely due to the introduction of higher tuition fees, however, according to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, last year more than 457,200 apprentices started new schemes; a 63% increase on the previous year.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .