More
young people will get the opportunity to learn skills under radical reforms to
the Modern Apprenticeship scheme announced today by education and skills
secretary Charles Clarke and Chancellor of the exchequer Gordon Brown.
The
reforms will deliver a more flexible, stronger apprenticeship ‘ladder of
opportunity’ beginning at the age of 14, which the Government hopes will be a
major boost to business and productivity.
Under
the scheme, pupils who will be able spend up to two days a week in the
workplace learning a trade. Initial opportunities will be in engineering,
automotive industries, business administration, logistics, and the arts and
creative industries.
"Apprenticeships
are one of the best ways we can fill our skills gaps," said Clarke.
"They provide young people and adults with an ‘on-the-job’ training
experience which gives them the direct skills needed in the workforce."
The
reforms include:
•
brand new ‘Young Apprenticeships’ for 14-16 year olds. These will provide an
opportunity for motivated pupils to spend up to two days a week in the
workplace learning a trade. Initial opportunities will be in engineering,
automotive industries, business administration, logistics, and the arts and
creative industries
•
‘Pre-Apprenticeship’ offer. This will
be based on the ‘Entry to Employment’ programme for young people who have
potential but are not yet ready or able to enter an full apprenticeship scheme
or are disengaged and disenfranchised from learning
•
‘Apprenticeships’ at NVQ Level 2 (replacing the Foundation Modern
Apprenticeship)
•
‘Advanced Apprenticeships’ (equal to two good A Levels or NVQ Level 3 and
replacing the Advanced Modern Apprenticeship)
•
Opening up the Modern Apprenticeship scheme to adults by scrapping the arbitrary
25-year-old age limit.
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Development
work will begin immediately with the licensed Sector Skills Councils.
By
Michael Millar
