New apprenticeship guide

The TUC and the Learning and Skills Council have published a new booklet aimed at helping union reps raise the number of apprenticeship places in the UK.

Apprenticeships: a guide for union reps and negotiators was launched at the 2004 Congress at a packed fringe meeting chaired by Tony Dubbins, general secretary of print and paper union GPMU and chair of the TUC Learning and Skills Task Group.

The booklet explains how reps can help ensure high-quality apprenticeship programmes, and suggests key elements to include in learning agreements so that apprentices get the best possible deal.

The government relaunched its apprenticeships programme in May this year, encouraging greater participation by employers and young people. This autumn it is launching a pilot scheme for over 24-year-olds and a new scheme for 14- to 16-year-olds.

Apprenticeships are available in over 160 sectors - and, with Sector Skills Councils taking on increased responsibility for them, the TUC says that unions are in a strong position to influence the apprenticeship programme at every stage.

TUC deputy general secretary Frances O'Grady said: "Unions have a fine tradition of leading the way in learning at work and increasing opportunities for workers. The new apprenticeship programmes represent a fantastic opportunity for union reps to negotiate improvements in employers' approach to learning in the workplace. This booklet will equip them with all the necessary tools to start those negotiations."