February 2010
5,000 Health Apprenticeships created
25 February 2010
The health sector has exceeded its aim to recruit 5,000 public sector apprentices, Health Secretary Andy Burnham announced today.
Last year both the NHS and social care services agreed to provide a major contribution to the Prime Minister’s commitment, made in February 2009, to increase the number of apprenticeships by 21,000 across the public sector.
Speaking before the NHS National Apprenticeship Conference at Westminister Hall, Andy Burnham said:
‘I am delighted that we have hit the target to create an extra 5,000 apprentices. Apprenticeships are an excellent way of giving young people the chance to learn life-changing skills and offer a genuine opportunity to train clinical staff.’
Minister for Further Education and Skills Kevin Brennan said:
‘The NHS has shown fantastic support for Apprenticeships, and these figures are a timely reminder of the great success we have seen across the board.
‘There is now an all-time high completion rate of 71%, with a record 240,000 people starting an Apprenticeship in 2008/9. This is a real sign of confidence in our workforce and shows the great progress we are making on improving skills throughout the country.’
Jemima Tevendale, 22, from Kettering, was an NVQ2 apprentice in business administration through Kettering Borough Training’s Apprenticeship Scheme and now works full time at the Trust, and has recently completed her NVQ3.
Jemima said:
‘Completing my NVQ with Kettering General Hospital gave me confidence in the workplace. I have become aware of the huge amount of effort it takes to run a hospital and I think it’s a great place to work in.’
Harry Potter Film Apprentices
3 February 2010
A new Apprenticeship scheme designed to give young people a start in the UK's thriving film industry was launched at Pinewood Studios by film Minister Sion Simon today.
The 10 new apprentices join 12 others already working at the Pinewood Studio Group.
Sion Simon said:
"The film industry can be incredibly tough to break into, but Pinewood's Apprenticeship scheme is a welcome route into this exciting and highly creative industry."
The Minister also met four Skillset Set Craft apprentices currently working on the new Harry Potter film.
PM gives his support to Apprenticeships Week 2010 and congratulates all those taking part in Apprenticeships.
2 February 2010
The Prime Minister, Gordon Brown today gave his support to Apprenticeship Week 2010 in a personal message to all those involved.
The PM also thanked the thousands of companies who are taking on apprentices and giving young people that crucial first break throughout the recession, and congratulated all those taking part in Apprenticeships.
Read the full message »
Online forum enables people to find out more about Apprenticeships
2 February 2010
This afternoon we are running an online careers forum about Apprenticeships on Guardian Online. This is an opportunity for potential employers, young people, teachers and the general public; to find out more about Apprenticeships.
We are bringing together a panel of experts — including former apprentices and companies running these schemes — to talk about the value of these experiences, how to find apprenticeships and how to build your career following one.
So whether you're looking for an apprenticeship, thinking about your next step or a company thinking of taking on an apprentice, post your questions to our panel.
Go to the forum »
Government celebrates Apprenticeships and urges business to recruit in the recovery
1 February 2010
The government today launched National Apprenticeship Week, celebrating the commitment of employers to recruit apprentices and urging people to look at the benefits to their skills and career of becoming an apprentice. Major UK employers are expecting to hire thousands of apprentices in 2010 and the government is encouraging all businesses to take up the new Apprentice Grant for Employers (AGE) scheme offering a £2,500 grant for each 16 or 17-year-old apprentice taken on.
Business Minister Pat McFadden will today visit a Morrisons supermarket in Camden, London, to congratulate the firm for its commitment to make 5,500 Government-funded Apprenticeship places available by July 2010.
Pat McFadden said:
“For so many businesses to be planning to recruit in 2010 is good news for the whole economy. It shows employers increasingly recognise the benefits they get from hiring apprentices. Undertaking an apprenticeship is a great way of learning a trade and gaining vocational experience. In 1997 apprenticeships had dwindled as a route for people to gain new skills, today we have 239,900 starting Apprenticeships and businesses of all sizes are reaping the rewards of having a highly skilled workforce. Skills will be crucial to a strong economic recovery and I urge employers across the country to take the chance apprentices give them to boost their competitiveness, innovation and growth this year.”
Morrisons will be creating more than 20,000 Apprenticeships in the next year, and offers training in Bakery, Butchery and Retail Skills, at level 2 (equivalent to five good GCSEs). The supermarket is just one major UK employer making a commitment to Apprenticeships this week. Crossrail has made a commitment to deliver 400 apprentices through it’s contractors over the project, and B&Q has said it aims to double the its Apprenticeship intake to 300 this September.
Apprenticeships Minister Kevin Brennan said:
“In the last year we have seen a record increase in the number of people starting an apprenticeship. The benefits are clear and this week I am urging businesses and young people alike to take a close look at what they can gain from them. Skills will be key to the recovery of the UK economy and apprentices can be vital to businesses looking to innovate and grow. I am proud so many businesses are hiring apprentices already. Last year 143,000 people completed an apprenticeship, helping to give them the skills and experience they need to get on at work.”
New research commissioned through the National Apprenticeships Service and the British Chambers of Commerce shows that more than three in five UK companies plan to recruit this year, while 72% of businesses who currently employ apprentices said they made a positive contribution during the recession. The good news for young people considering Apprenticeships is that drive and enthusiasm is the trait most prized by employers (83%) while having skills that the business will need in the future is also sought after (71%).
Simon Waugh, Chief Executive of the National Apprenticeship Service, said:
“The time is absolutely right for businesses of all sizes to take on apprentices. Our research shows that firms who take on apprentices have been in great shape to face the downturn. Last year saw a seven per cent increase in apprentices; that’s 240,000 people starting their careers with the best possible training and the determination to succeed. What continues to surprise me is the number of companies who still haven’t switched on to apprentices and the value they bring to businesses.”
David Frost from the British Chambers of Commerce said:
"The recession has taught us two key things: that businesses' long-term commitment to investment in their workforce really pays off, and that young people must be effectively brought into employment. Apprenticeship programmes offer both of these factors. We would strongly advise our members, and indeed all businesses, to consider apprenticeships as part of their recruitment strategy."