WORKFORCE OF THE FUTURE
NO TRAIN NO GAIN REPORT 2022
However not everything in the world of apprenticeships is rosy . According to the OECD Economic Outlook , almost 348,000 people started apprenticeships between 2021 and 2022 .
In its November 2022 report " No Train No Gain ", it claims that measures need to be taken to ensure that employers are not using apprenticeships as a disguise for cheap labour .
Government figures show that in 2021 , 53 per cent of those apprentices due to complete their training did so , suggesting that 47 per cent did not .
The report states , “ If A-level or university students were dropping out in such large numbers or with similar complaints then it would be a national scandal .”
The complaints from those apprentices who have dropped out include low quality training , unhelpful employers , disorganisation and lack of commitment to their development .
The report also claims that there are significant problems with a number of ‘ unscrupulous ’ training providers who are not fulfilling their commitment to training apprentices adequately .
It concludes , “ Some training providers continue to make the most of the weak rules around training quality and the noticeable lack of enforcement from Government . As a result , the majority of apprentices are being denied even their minimum entitlement to a decent training programme – a clear breach of the funding rules which apparently carries few consequences for the training provider .”
“ Some training providers continue to make the most of the weak rules around training quality and the noticeable lack of enforcement from government ”
The EDSK report calls for the creation of a National Apprenticeship Inspectorate to enforce high standards . It also recommends that apprenticeships should include 300 hours of off-the-job learning each year and 200 of those hours should be face-to-face learning . A further recommendation is that apprentices receive a bursary of £ 100 a week to cover food and travel expenses .
We asked two of our apprentices ’ employers for their views on this report and apprenticeships in general .
Simon Crisp , Founder of Green Machine Computers , is an advocate of apprenticeships as he was an apprentice himself aged 16 .
“ I am not an academic but have always worked hard . I have also always felt I am good at teaching people and when I started Green Machine , I knew I wanted to get an apprentice on the books as soon as budget allowed .
“ Today out of our current team of ten , two are currently on apprenticeships . Four of the others started as apprentices , have completed their courses and become full time employees .
“ A good apprenticeship is when the company delivering the course looks after and cares for the student as a college or school would . They will also build strong working relationships and aim to work together to get the apprentice through their course .
“ The Government should be setting a higher bar for standards and I agree with all of the recommendations in the report . Some of the organisations that deliver apprenticeships are not cut out for it and I feel by implementing these recommendations we will be making a huge leap forward in the quality of apprenticeships .
“ I think the National Apprenticeship Inspectorate is a great idea and desperately needed . Training providers and colleges need to be held a lot more accountable .”
James Woodhams of JMW Carpentry & Builders agrees with Simon . He too started his career as an apprentice and believes wholeheartedly in this route to a career .
For James , a good apprenticeship is one with a balance of on and off the job learning , where the apprentice feels supported and comfortable asking questions while not being afraid to make mistakes .
“ Bringing ‘ new blood ’ into the business is really important to me . Building in general is an antiquated industry , a lot of builders are stuck in their ways , they often have a reputation for being unreliable and untrustworthy . I am determined that JMW won ’ t be like that .
“ We currently have two members of staff who were apprentices . We have one apprentice who is almost finished , two in their second year and a fourth in his first year .”
“ Our apprentices are given the same opportunities as our regular employees . For example , they have all just completed IPAF training with HSS and we pay above the minimum wage . Pay is also reviewed regularly and is based on performance .”
“ I agree with the report . There are businesses and training providers out there taking advantage of the system and offering ‘ apprenticeships ’ for low-skilled roles where a simple training course would do . In some cases they are even using apprenticeships as a way of filling roles cheaply .
“ It ’ s a real shame to see the system being abused . Not only does it not help either the business or the ‘ apprentice ’ in the long-term , it gives all apprenticeships a bad name when in fact , when run properly they can be extremely beneficial to all parties .
“ All apprenticeships should be high-quality opportunities for those businesses which are committed to offering apprentices a high standard of training in specific , skilled jobs .”
You can read the full report from EDSK online at : www . edsk . org
During National Apprenticeship Week , share your apprenticeship experience with The Business Exchange by emailing : press @ tbesw . co . uk or tweet us @ tbesw
“ A good apprenticeship is when the company delivering the course looks after and cares for the student as a college or school would ” Simon Crisp , Founder , Green Machine Computers
“ Apprentices are highly valued members of our team . Treated with respect and with commitment from colleagues , they thrive , develop and adapt to ' our ' way of business . Any team will soon discover that the more they give , the more they will get back .”
Debbie Williams , John Williams Heating Services
“ All apprenticeships should be high-quality opportunities for those businesses which are committed to offering apprentices a high standard of training in specific , skilled jobs .”
James Woodhams , JMW Carpentry & Builders
National Apprenticeship Week ( NAW ) 2023 is the 16th annual celebration of apprenticeships . Throughout the week , follow the conversation on social media # NAW2023
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