Tue, 8 Sep 2009
Report from Skills Commission says careers guidance
should be improved to boost apprenticeship uptake.
Apprenticeship targets will only be met if students receive better advice about the options open to them, the Skills Commission has claimed.
MP Barry Sheerman, co-chair of the commission, said that more young people should be encouraged to consider becoming an apprentice when making their initial career choices.
The Skills Commission's new report, Progression through Apprenticeships, makes 23 policy recommendations on how to improve the current system of on-the-job training schemes.
Skills secretary John Denham has said that apprentices should have more opportunities to continue their vocational training at a higher level.
Mr Sheerman added: "There needs to be a marked improvement in the quality of careers advice and guidance about apprenticeships.
"This would encourage more young people, of all academic abilities, to consider an apprenticeship."
A recent report from education foundation Edge indicated that many UK teachers lack an understanding of apprenticeship schemes and are unlikely to recommend training schemes as an alternative to academic qualifications.
Andy Powell, chief executive of Edge and a member of the Skills Commission, said that changing the attitude of teachers and careers advisers towards apprenticeships is the "key to unlocking the potential of the programme".
He explained: "Young people must be given easy-to-understand options regarding apprenticeships in order to make an informed decision."
The government has set a target of doubling the number of apprenticeship enrolments by 2010, meaning that one in five people will be involved in an on-the-job training course within the next decade.
Last month, a new advertising campaign fronted by Sir Alan Sugar was launched to raise awareness of the apprenticeship programme.
Thanks for your help,
The learndirect team