The importance of apprenticeships in 2011
2011 is without doubt an vitally important year for Britain.
We are beginning to see the implementation of the coalitions plans to restructure and reshape our institutions and workforce in the effort to combat the recession. The apprenticeship programme has seen some of these changes already and Knowledge Web is at right at the forefront. On January 20 by John Hayes, Minister for Further Education outlined the measures in place to ensure that the programme is a success.
The Specification of Apprenticeship Standards for England, published today, will ensure:
• All apprenticeships deliver high quality, nationally-recognised qualifications relevant to the skill, trade or occupation of the learner and employer;
• All apprenticeships offer individuals appropriate training to achieve a good standard of literacy and numeracy (and ICT where relevant to the skill, trade or occupation);
• Every apprentice will receive at least 280 hours of guided learning per year.
What is vital here is that apprenticeships will help businesses to grow, whilst keeping costs down. With 50,000 additional adult places this year, as well as an increase in the budget for apprentices to rise to £1.4 billion in the 2011/2012 financial year, it is vital that employers get on board now and seriously consider taking on apprentices.
An apprentice can ‘learn from the master’, a practice that has been undertaken for centuries. It remains the most effective way of passing on complex practical skills.
John Hayes went on to say;
“Apprenticeships are at the heart of our skills strategy because they are valued by employers and sought after by learners. By enshrining these characteristics in statute we send a clear message to employers and learners that every Apprenticeship is a high quality investment in the skills they need for the future.”
Patricia Wilkinson of the North East Chamber of Commerce (NECC) agrees. The NECC has recruited more than 500 apprenticeships since August 2010 and supports the National Apprenticeship Services’ 100 in 100 programme which aims to recruit 100 apprentices in 100 days. She said;
“Anything we can do to encourage our members to consider investing in apprenticeship programmes is certainly a positive, and this campaign will be a great help in raising awareness of, and interest, in apprenticeships.”
2011 will two important events in the business calendar. On February 7th the NAS, in conjunction with BT are launching National Apprenticeship Week. The event is even online with web casts and pod casts available.
In June the National Apprenticeship Awards take place. The event is designed to honour businesses, from small to macro sized as well as individuals with the award for young apprentice of the year on offer. Entries for the awards close on March 25 so there is still plenty of time to get involved. Events like these represent the recognition that apprenticeships are receiving and further solidify the importance they have on our workforce today.
David Cameron said that we need to create an economic climate in which the private sector can grow and develop. Well it seems that some of the largest companies that operate within the UK have taken this on board. Microsoft has recently announced that they are to create 4000+ jobs in the UK, with the bulk of them being through apprenticeships.
Britain Works is a programme whereby some of the larger companies like Microsoft, Centrica, Shell, National Rail and Toyota to name but a few, aim to get half a million people into work in areas of the economy that will spearhead the recovery.
Gordon Frazer of Microsoft said;
“{It} creates more jobs in the form of highly skilled apprenticeships and opportunities for entrepreneurs to start new businesses”
Knowledge Web believes there is no stigma attached to an apprenticeship. They clearly are a genuine alternative to going to university and age is not an issue. Employers today must regard apprentices in the same esteem than those with degrees because they are a canvas upon which they can work on until they are satisfied with the finished product. The results for the employer depend on how much they put into the apprentice. With so many large companies spying the opportunity, smaller businesses must comply as it is the smaller businesses that are key to the success of economic recovery and stability in this country.
For more information on how Knowledge Web can assist your business with an apprenticeship call us today.
1 Nebusiness.co.uk