Editorial: Rise to the apprenticeship challenge
Ravi Chandiramani
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
The government has gone into overdrive this year to help protect and create jobs as it gets to grips with the downturn.
As the recession deepens, so do worries about a generation of young people being locked out of education, employment or training. Increasing the availability of apprenticeships forms part of this government's solution. The message is that investing now in a skilled workforce will equip the nation for better times.
Nearly half of apprentices are 16- and 17-year-olds. Good apprenticeships will transform lives. They introduce young people to the norms and practices of a workplace. Whether they are in service industries or traditional manual trades, they provide a structured experience with goals of performance, so young people learn about accountability.
But the government's present emphasis on boosting apprenticeships is also down to a looming target: by 2013, every suitably qualified school leaver will be entitled to an apprenticeship place. Given that in previous recessions employers have cut back on apprentices, and that many organisations are currently fighting for existence, there is real anxiety there won't be anything like the supply required to meet this duty.
The answer, at least in part, lies within the children's and youth sector.
Last month's children and young people's workforce strategy flagged up plans for a common apprenticeship in youth support work and promised to set out the timetable for this in the spring. The scheme could cover a range of services including youth work, Connexions, youth justice, mentoring and counselling. The Children's Workforce Development Council has been consulting on the proposal. Youth sector employers will need support to provide effective apprenticeships. There will be other challenges - programmes delivered predominantly by part-time and volunteer workers for example, might struggle to take on apprentices, who are required to work a minimum 30 hours a week. But the aim remains laudable.
The public sector in general has not kept pace with the private sector in providing young people with apprenticeships. Next year local authorities will take responsibility from the Learning and Skills Council for post-16 education and training. All councils should devise a strategy and targets for increasing the number of suitable apprenticeships within their own ranks and their partners. Without their contribution, the government will have its work cut out.