Reformed apprenticeships offer further skills opportunities

The Government hope that more young people will get the opportunity to learn skills under reforms to Apprenticeships announced by Education and Skills Secretary Charles Clarke and the Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown.

Announcing the revised 'Young Apprenticeships' scheme today Mr Clarke said that the reforms will be a major boost to business and productivity. Working through the Sector Skills Councils, employers will also be put in the driving seat in terms of the design and development of Apprenticeships.

Speaking at the launch, held in Selfridges department store in London with Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown, Education and Skills Secretary Charles Clarke said: "Apprenticeships are one of the best ways we can fill our skills gaps. They provide young people and adults with an 'on the job' training experience which gives them the direct skills needed in the workforce.

"I am delighted that many leading businesses are today committing themselves to Apprenticeships. But we need more employers to get involved which is why the Learning and Skills Council is today launching a specific marketing and advertising campaign to get more employers on board.

Mr Clarke said the new 'Young Apprenticeships' scheme represented one of the most exciting developments for young people since the introduction of GCSEs in 1986.

Chancellor Gordon Brown said: "The Government is strongly committed to expanding and improving the Apprenticeship programme in this country, which will aid the push towards our objective of full employment.

"Apprenticeships, which were dying a few years ago, have now already risen to 255,500 in England. We must work in partnership - employers, individuals and Government - to ensure that even more businesses and even more young people are benefiting by the end of the decade through this new Apprenticeships offer, which is testament to the growing and central importance of education, training and skills to the whole future of the British economy."

The reforms to Apprenticeships will be backed up by a targeted campaign encouraging more employers to 'get on board' and boost the UK's record number of Apprentices even further.

The reforms aim to deliver a more flexible, stronger Apprenticeship 'ladder of opportunity' beginning at the age of 14.

The reforms will build on the success of the Modern Apprenticeships initiative under which numbers have grow from 75,800 trainees in 1997 to reach the current level of 255,500.

(SP)