Partner Article

Aspire to 2 million apprenticeships, say training body

2 million apprenticeships across the economy are achievable, say the training provider body, the Association of Employment and Learning Providers (AELP).

A paper published by the body, suggested radical improvements are needed if they are to remain the driver for skill development and upskilling throughout the workforce.

It also suggested teachers should be “taught” about apprenticeships and each school should have an “apprenticeship champion” among its staff.

AELP recommend that vouchers should be issued to SMEs, to be spend with approved providers, and apprenticeships should be opened up to graduates.

This week, Ed Miliband is expected to propose a £1bn-a-year government-funded apprenticeships programme, to be run by businesses, rather than ministers.

In his address to the Labour Party Conference, Mr Miliband is also expected to talk about mandatory apprenticeship routes for large firms with government contracts.

AELP chief executive Graham Hoyle OBE said: “There should be greater clarity regarding who pays for apprenticeships. Government should accept responsibility for ensuring that potential apprentices reach the minimum levels of English and maths and other generic ‘soft’, employability skills, with employers continuing to fund the acquisition of skills and competencies they require to improve the competitiveness of their organisations.”

A spokesperson from management and training company IDG commented: “IDG will be working with employers across the North of England to encourage them to invest in the future skills of their workforce, supporting the UK Commission for Employment & Skills’ ambition to secure greater commitment to investing in skills to drive enterprise, jobs and growth – as such its great to see an increasing dialogue around apprenticeships and their future”

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