Skills Commission report calls for greater progression routes for apprentices

"Tackling the lack of knowledge about Apprenticeships amongst teachers and careers guidance professionals is key to unlocking the potential of the programme."

Andy Powell, CEO of Edge

“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, and help to achieve the Government’s goal of one in five young people enrolled on an Apprenticeship within the next decade. We want to ensure the long-term prosperity and continued success of Apprenticeships and during this time of economic downturn securing quality vocational routes for young people is ever-more important.”

Barry Sheerman MP, Co-Chair of the Skills Commission

Click here to download the report.

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Skills Commission report calls for greater progression routes for apprentices

19/03/09

Progression through Apprenticeships is a major new report by the Skills Commission.


The report investigates how the Government can ensure a greater proportion of apprentices progress through to higher levels of learning.
 

The report is in the wake of the Government’s ambition to double apprenticeship numbers by 2020. Whilst the Commission strongly supports this investment in apprenticeships, it is critical that expansion does not come at the expense of quality.

Progression through Apprenticeships recommends how to help secure the long-term success of the apprenticeship programme. As apprenticeship numbers increase, greater progression must be stimulated for the good of learners, employers and the economy.
 

The report explores:
  • ways to encourage more young people to consider an apprenticeship
  • progression into apprenticeships from other learning pathways such as Diplomas
  • how to ensure every apprentice has the opportunity to progress on to higher levels of learning, such as advanced further education and higher education.
Young people must be given easy to understand options regarding Apprenticeships in order to make an informed decision. Progression routes for apprentices must also be clearer and free of barriers to help young people follow one of the many paths to success.

John Denham MP, Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills commented:

'Apprenticeships are valuable in their own right, but I believe there should be clear progression routes for young people and adults who complete their apprenticeships and want to go further – whether that’s onto an advanced apprenticeship, a diploma or a foundation degree and beyond.'


'Alongside this, I want universities to offer high-level vocational courses to meet the needs of students who have come up through vocational routes. Vocational routes to higher education are important. But it is also important that vocational training should continue to higher levels.'

Mr Denham added that DIUS and DCSF will respond in full to all the recommendations in the report.
 

The findings in Progression through Apprenticeships are the product of a six month Inquiry. During this time the Commission took oral evidence and written submissions from apprentices, employers, unions, learning providers, policy-makers and skills agencies. The Inquiry was chaired by Sir William Taylor and sponsored by the education foundation, Edge.


 

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