“Image makeover” needed to boost London’s apprenticeships

Citation

(2005), "“Image makeover” needed to boost London’s apprenticeships", Education + Training, Vol. 47 No. 7. https://doi.org/10.1108/et.2005.00447gab.007

“Image makeover” needed to boost London’s apprenticeships

Young Londoners’ perceptions of apprenticeships as less worthy than academic qualifications and discriminating against women and ethnic monitories are discouraging them from pursuing on-the-job training as a way to advance their careers. Apprenticeship schemes are often regarded as the “poor relation” in career development and better suited to those who have not succeeded in their GCSEs, the London Assembly heard. Competition is high for 16 to 18 year olds to remain in sixth-form colleges and go to university, with the promise of a better job after graduation.

As part of its investigation into the way apprenticeships are provided for Londoners, the assembly’s economic-development committee was told that young people need to be convinced of the benefits of becoming an apprentice. This option can be as attractive and lucrative as remaining in higher education, full-time employment or doing unpaid work experience to get a foot in the door of a particular company.

More investment is needed from the Government to help employers and organizations that provide apprentice schemes to attract and retain trainees. The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) called for flexibility in funding further education and training so that money can be moved to work-based learning programmes and finances are not just ring-fenced for sixth-form colleges. Dee Doocey, who chairs the committee, said: “Modern apprenticeships are suffering from the legacies of the past. All too often they are seen as hard work in return for low pay and discrimination in some industries. Apprenticeships need to be regarded as attractive for both young people and businesses, and there is a need for further progression of lifelong learning among London’s workforce.”

The LSC and the Chartered Surveyors’ Training Trust told the committee they had heard of instances where an employer only wanted to take on white or male apprentices. The needs of businesses and young people’s desires must be addressed and apprenticeship schemes should be innovative and take notice of cultural issues.

Despite the Government’s work to encourage organizations to establish desirable schemes, the drop-out rate for some apprenticeships is as high as 40 per cent. Also, many qualified apprentices are not pursuing careers in the field they have trained for, which is discouraging employers wishing to teach others.

According to Dee Doocey: “Apprenticeships are not failing in all industries, with some sectors having huge demands from applicants. But a wider range of organizations needs to support work-based learning programmes in the public and private sectors, which will help to reduce the skill gap and boost the economy. The Government, Learning and Skills Council and trade unions all have a role to play in improving the reputation of and investing more in the capital’s apprentices.”