Member Article

Cameron launches new apprenticeships standards

Over 60 companies have signed up to be the Government’s ‘Trailblazers’ in a new apprenticeships programme that will put employers in charge of standards.

Speaking to workers at the Mini Plant Oxford the Prime Minister introducted the new apprenticeships standards which aim to be in affect by 2017-2018, following recommendations set out in the Richard Review.

The proposals mean employers will describe the skills and knowledge that an individual needs be fully competent in an occupation, and aims to increase the quality of training by putting apprentices through rigorous independent assessment - and stepping up of academic requirements in English and maths.

Apprentices will also be required to undertake a minimum of 20% off-the-job training, away from the shop floor.

Mr Cameron said: “We’re saying; if you want an apprenticeship, we’re going to make sure you do the best apprenticeship in the world. The reforms we’re announcing today will put employers in the driving seat and ensure that we deliver high quality training that supports you and our economy for years to come.

“And as the range of companies signed up today shows, these are apprenticeships in different industries and sectors meaning people have a real choice about the career they want and our economy is balanced.

“We’re saying if you need help preparing for an apprenticeship or want to get straight into the world of work, we’ll help you too. We’ve been talking to some of the biggest companies in Britain, massive global brands where young people have a real opportunity to progress up the ladder, and they have said they want to offer 100,000 vocational training schemes for young people.”

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