Invest more in young people

The UK’s training providers have called for a better targeting of resources in the government’s skills programmes, at a time when budgets are being squeezed.

The call follows business secretary Vince Cable’s recent appeal to the Treasury for the forthcoming government spending review to invest more in training, “if we are going to get the economy going”.

In a summary manifesto document launched at its annual conference, the Association of Employment and Learning Providers (AELP) has set out 10 key points of action, which it feels should be adopted by the main political parties. These cover:

• making young people "work ready" by the time they leave school;

• targeting more resources at apprenticeships and the new traineeship programme; and

• tackling the NEET issue (young people not in education or training) by focusing on real work experience with employers.

More coherent procurement of skills and employment programmes across the business, education and work departments to correct a fragmented and inconsistent approach.

The AELP is also recommending further progress in funding skills programmes, which reward good quality providers who successfully engage with local employers.

This includes introducing a level-playing field on funding for independent training organisations and further education colleges.

AELP chair Martin Dunford said: “It is vital that scarce government funds are rigorously targeted on apprenticeships and traineeships as the highest priority skills provision and that this targeted funding is properly made available to those providers ....best able to deliver successful outcomes."

www.aelp.org.uk/news/pressReleases/