A new family of Apprenticeships designed to raise the status and quality of vocational education and training by giving more people the chance to learn new skills at work has been launched by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC). Throughout the summer, TV advertising, direct mail, online marketing, outdoor posters and press coverage will drive home the benefits of Apprenticeships which replace the decade-old Modern Apprenticeship programme with a broader and simpler structure. Rachel May, the LSC’s senior work-based learning contract manager explained that Apprenticeships deliver a ladder of opportunity beginning with Young Apprenticeships for 14-16s. She said: “These offer a Key Stage 4 route to industry-specific qualifications and will be available from September 2004, initially as a small-scale programme involving around 1000 students choosing from engineering, business administration and the arts and media sectors.” Progression to Apprenticeships (NVQ level 2), Advanced Apprenticeships (NVQ level 3) and ultimately to level 4 Foundation Degrees can then follow.

Already leading companies like Tesco, BT and the AA have pledged commitment to the new programme, which is set to build on the 10-year success of Modern Apprenticeships.

David Tofts, the LSC’s director of youth and further education, said: “Although a record 255,000 young people are currently training in over 150 different Apprenticeships, we need more employers to get involved. And we need to engage more apprentices, male and female with all types of abilities.

“Apprenticeships mean we can finally complete a vocational ladder of opportunity that will get all young people, what ever their starting point to consider a vocational route.”

If you are an employer and want to find out more about Apprenticeships, telephone 08000 150 400 or visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk

source: Cook and Partners accountants