New apprenticeships

Details of a £25 million fund that will support up to 10,000 Advanced and Higher Apprenticeships, giving firms in sectors, such as advanced manufacturing, information technology and engineering, the hi-tech skills they need to grow have been revealed by the government.

The Higher Apprenticeships Fund will support the expansion of apprenticeships up to degree equivalent in companies, particularly small and medium-sized companies, where there is unmet demand for the higher level skills that are necessary to create additional jobs and growth.

Industry representatives have been invited to bid to the fund, which will be delivered via the National Apprenticeship Service.

Tom Wilson, director of the TUC's education arm Unionlearn, said: “If apprenticeships are to be meaningful, they need to lead on to higher-level studies and skills. Employers need to support apprentices to degree level and beyond if we are to have a highly-skilled and competitive workforce in advanced manufacturing, information technology and engineering. Unions are working with employers to support the expansion of apprenticeships.”

http://nds.coi.gov.uk/content/detail.aspx?NewsAreaId=2&ReleaseID=420541&SubjectId=2

www.unionlearn.org.uk/initiatives/learn-4086-f0.cfm