The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills announcement of £1,500 payment incentives to support 20,000 new apprenticeships has been welcomed by EAL, the specialist awarding organisation for industry qualifications.
EAL, which supports industry Apprenticeship programmes in engineering, manufacturing, building services and related sectors throughout the UK.
Ann Watson, Managing Director at EAL, said: “With youth unemployment breaking 1 million, the need to boost and protect the Apprenticeship badge has never been greater. The measures outlined today by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills will hopefully provide a valuable incentive for employers to take on an apprentice and give them the skills, training and experience required to work within industry.
“The recent rise in engineering and manufacturing Apprenticeships pales in comparison to Apprenticeships in business, administration and law. As well as the Government business payment incentives, we hope the simplification of processes to make it easier for employers to take on an apprentice will address this disparity, providing skilled workers where they are needed most.
“We reiterate the comments of Business Secretary Vince Cable that Apprenticeships remain the gold standard for vocational training and welcome the quality review of Apprenticeship provision. This will help ensure and maintain the rigorous standards that all young people entering an Apprenticeship deserve.”
More opinions and news on this announcement to follow…
