Tag: Department of Business Innovation and Skills

The press release issued by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills on 20 January 2011.

The Specification of Apprenticeship Standards for England, published today, will ensure:

• All apprenticeships deliver high quality, nationally-recognised qualifications relevant to the skill, trade or occupation of the learner and employer;
• All apprenticeships offer individuals appropriate training to achieve a good standard of literacy and numeracy (and ICT where relevant to the skill, trade or occupation);
• Every apprentice will receive at least 280 hours of guided learning per year.

John Hayes said:

“Apprenticeships are at the heart of our skills strategy because they are valued by employers and sought after by learners. By enshrining these characteristics in statute we send a clear message to employers and learners that every Apprenticeship is a high quality investment in the skills they need for the future.”

The Government will increase annual funding for adult Apprenticeships by up to £250m above the £398m a year funding inherited from the last Government, by 2014-15 and is reforming the programme to deliver 75,000 more apprenticeship places at advanced level and above. **

Over 85,000 employers offer Apprenticeships. There are almost 200 job roles in which someone may be an apprentice; from digital media to electrical engineering; horticulture to accountancy. Those with a Level 2 (GCSE level) apprenticeship earn on average around £73,000 more over their lifetime than those with an equivalent level qualification or below; and people with an advanced apprenticeship around £105,000 more.

The press release issued by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills on 29 November 2010.

Information Technology is one of the many sectors set to benefit from the Government’s expanded apprenticeships programme. An extra £250m government funding a year will be put into apprenticeships by 2014/15 compared to previous spending levels.

John Hayes said:

“This government recognises that skills training must keep up with the fast pace of technological change. That’s why the Government is not just expanding the apprenticeships programme by investing an additional £250 million, but also improving the scope and quality of apprenticeships so they deliver the more advanced learning and practical experience that firms like IBM demand.

“IBM’s new apprentices will gain invaluable skills that will help them take forward their own careers in the ICT sector. And every firm that makes this investment in its people will help ensure its future prosperity as well as that of the wider economy.

“I am determined to seed apprenticeships in every part of the country, to spread opportunity, grow the nation’s economy and produce a bigger society.”

Stephen Leonard, Chief Executive, IBM UK and Ireland said:

“IBM is continually looking to develop and invest in its future leaders and the Apprenticeship Scheme is a great opportunity to engage with a new pool of talent.

“We recognise that studying for a university degree isn’t for everyone. The scheme is a way for individuals who are keen to dive straight into the world of work to join a vibrant and forward thinking company whilst still working for a recognised qualification.”

Apprenticeships are at the heart of the Government’s skills strategy, launched this month. By 2014-15, the government will expand the numbers of adult apprenticeships available by up to 75,000, leading to in excess of 200,000 starts a year.

The Government is working with employers, through Sector Skills Councils and other representative bodies to ensure that all apprenticeship frameworks meet the needs of the real economy. Re-shaping the apprenticeships programme so that more learners achieve Advanced Apprenticeships and above will help deliver the technician level skills that a modern, dynamic industrial economy needs.

The IBM apprenticeship scheme in the UK is aimed at school leavers, and will take students with 8 GCSEs plus two ‘A’ levels who would like to go into work rather than go to university. IBM’s 15 new apprentices will receive two year’s training as IT specialists and will be offered permanent employment.

IBM is being supported in its initiative by e-skills, the government Sector Skills Council for Business and Information Technology.